Complete the sentences with reflexive pronouns.

1) Tom cut himself while he was shaving this morning.

2) Jack is growing a beard because he doesn’t like ….

3) Be careful! This pan is very hot. Don’t … .

4) I really … well today – much better than yesterday.

5) They couldn’t get back into the house. They had … out.

6) He climbed out of the pool, picked up a towel and … .

7) It isn’t her fault. She really shouldn’t … .

8) I tried to study but I just couldn’t … .

9) What a stupid fool I am! I could … .

10) Jack and I first … at a party five years ago.

11) The boy was lucky when fell down the stairs. He didn’t … .

12) You’re always rushing about. Why don’t you … more?

13) I’m trying to … Spanish but I’m not making much progress.

14) It was a lovely holiday. We really … very much.

15) He spends most of his time alone, so it’s not surprising that he … .

16) I overslept this morning. I didn’t have time to … or have breakfast.

17) Don’t worry about us. We can … .

Change the sentences using by myself/ by yourself, etc.

1) It looked extremely heavy. I knew I couldn’t lift it on my own. – It looked extremely heavy. I knew I couldn’t lift it by myself.

2) I went on holiday alone.

3) She hated being in the house on her own.

4) John lives in this house alone.

5) If the rest of you can’t help we’ll have to do it on our own.

6) She went to the cinema alone.

7) You can’t expect them to do everything on their own.

8) When I saw him last he was alone.

9) Mother had to go out to work and leave the children in the house on their own.

10) Don’t go out alone.

11) If there are three of you, you should be able to manage on your own.

12) I had dinner alone today.

13) I hate living on my own.

14) It’s a horror film so children aren’t allowed to see it on their own.

15) John had to walk home on his own.

16) It’s too difficult for me. I can’t do it all on my own.

Make up sentences with reflexive pronouns.

When Jenny won the lottery, she pinched herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.

1) Learner drivers are not allowed to drive on their own.

2) I’m glad I live with other people. I wouldn’t like to live on … .

3) The box was too heavy for me to lift it by … .

4) I went over to talk to Tim at the party because he was by … .

5) Very young children should not be allowed to go swimming by … .

6) Hasn’t she got any friends? When I see her, she is always on … .

7) I don’t like strawberries with cream. I like them on … .

8) Do you like working with other people or do you prefer working by … .

9) We had no help decorating the flat. We did it completely on … .

Review Exercises

(Reflexive Pronouns)

Find and correct one mistake in each sentence.

1) I cut me shaving this morning.

2) We got out of the water and dried ourselfes.

3) I’m going to the shops to get my some tennis shoes.

4) Talking to himself is the first sign of madness.

5) His letters are all about themselves.

6) I’m going to tell she some facts about herself.

7) I love you for myself, not for your money.

8) It’s quicker if you do it herself.

9) The house oneself is very nice, but the garden’s very small.

10) I like to spend time by me.

11) ’Do they need help?’ – ‘No. They can do it by ourselves.’

12) Do you shave yourself on Sundays?

13) Try to concentrate yourself.

14) I feel myself better today.           

15) Hurry yourself!

16) She had to introduce oneself to them.

Rewrite the following sentences according to the model. Write some sentences by yourself.

The Chief of police himself made the arrest. – It was the Chief of police himself who made the arrest.

1) This picture can’t have been painted by Picasso himself. – It can’t have been Picasso…

2) O. Wilde himself once said: ‘A man cannot be too careful in the choice of his enemies.’ – It was…

3) It was the headmaster himself who told me about that.

4) The husband himself painted the house.

5) Mary herself solved that problem.

6) The Robinsons themselves printed the card.

7) John himself has never read the book.

8) I myself painted this picture.

9) S. Bach himself composed this fugue.

10) He himself was too weak to do that.

11) You yourself are mature enough for this.

12) This song can’t have been composed by P. McCartney himself.

13) There can be no doubt that E. Hemingway himself wrote this book.

14) The CNN correspondent himself told me the whole truth.

15) Julia herself wrote her examination paper.

16) On Monday the President of the company herself appeared on television.

Translate into English.

1) Я сам отвечу на это письмо.

2) Он не любит говорить о себе.

3) Я уверена, что она захочет сделать это сама.

4) Как вы себя чувствуете?

5) Не брейтесь в темноте. Вы порежетесь.

6) Я оставлю эту книгу для себя.

7) Все были удивлены тем, как он себя вёл.

8) «Будет скандал», – пробормотал Джеймс как будто самому себе.

9) Она себя не понимала.

10) Если ты занят, я могу пойти на вечеринку одна.

11) Вернись, мой мальчик, и закрой дверь. Двери сами не закрываются, не правда ли?

12) Были такие моменты, когда ему было чрезвычайно жалко самого себя.

13) В этот вечер они должны были обедать одни.

14) Вам самим придется зарабатывать себе на жизнь.

15) Ты всегда сам с собой разговариваешь, когда волнуешься?

16) Не злись! Контролируй себя!