Reflexive Pronouns

 

 1. Study the rule.

 

 

 

 

 

The reflexive pronouns are used as the direct or indirect object of the verb when you want to say that the object is the same person or thing as the subject of the verb in the same clause. e.g. She stretched herself on the sofa.   Most transitive verbs take a reflexive pronoun. But verbs, which denote actions that people normally do to themselves, do not take reflexive pronouns in English. e.g. I usually shave before breakfast.   We sometimes add reflexive pronouns after verbs like dress, hide, shave and wash for emphasis or to show that something has been done with an effort. e.g. Polly has now learnt to dress herself.   A reflexive pronoun can be use at the end of a clause to emphasize that someone did something without any help from anyone else. e.g. I’ll take it down to the police station myself.   A reflexive pronoun with “by” is used to say -          that someone does something without any help from other people e.g. She was certain she could manage by herself. -          that someone is alone e.g. I was there for about six months by myself. You can also use ‘on my own’, etc. to say that someone is alone or does something without any help.

 

 

 

 

 

2. Supply the correct reflexive pronouns.

 

1. I enjoyed __________ very much.
2. I see you’ve cut __________ again. Won’t you ever learn to shave?
3. She has no reason to blame __________ for what has happened.
4. I think that the poor dog has hurt __________.
5. We amused __________ playing football on the beach.
6. Our new neighbours knocked at our door and introduced __________.
7. Mary prides __________ on her ability to judge people’s character.
8. Bill had to absent __________ from work when his baby was born.
9. The chairman announced the news __________.
10. Helen will be very upset. I’ll have to tell her the news __________.
11. We built most of the house __________.
12. The president __________ appeared on television. She spoke for about ten minutes.
13. The children _________ did most of the work for the school play.
14. The men formed __________ in a line.
15. Here’s the money, go and buy __________ an ice-cream.

 

3. Choose a personal pronoun or a reflexive pronoun to complete these sentences.

 

1. He was tired out but he forced __________ to go on.
2. I could hear someone walking along behind __________.
3. She had cut __________ so badly that she had to be rushed to hospital.
4. She realized that the car in front of __________ had stopped suddenly.
5. They built __________ a garage behind the house.
6. He boiled __________ a couple of eggs for breakfast.
7. Put it down in front of __________.
8. If you’ve got a sleeping bag bring it with __________.
9. They promised __________ a summer holiday abroad.
10. On Sunday mornings the children were left to take care of __________.

 

4. Put in the correct pronoun.

 

1. Don’t tell the answer to the puzzle, we can work it for __________.
2. It’s a pity you didn’t bring your camera with __________.
3. Mark talked to the woman sitting next to __________.
4. The old man is no longer able to look after __________.
5. My mother likes to have all her family near __________.
6. To be successful in life, you must believe in __________.
7. Have you got any money on __________?
8. Come and sit beside __________.
9. Strictly between __________, she is wrong.
10. Granddad doesn’t like living by __________.

 

5. Change the phrases on my own etc. to by myself etc.

 

1. I looked extremely heavy. I knew I couldn’t lift it on my own.
2. She hated being in the house on her own.
3. If the rest of you can’t help we’ll have to do it on our own.
4. You can’t expect them to do everything on their own.
5. Did you put those shelves up all on your own?
6. Mothers had to go out to work and leave children in the house on their own.
7. If there are three of you, you should be able to manage on you own.
8. It’s a horror film so children aren’t allowed to see it on their own.
9. John had to walk home on his own.
10. It’s too difficult for me. I can’t do it all on my own.

 

6. Study the rule.

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the verbs that do not usually take a reflexive pronoun are: afford, approach, complain, concentrate, decide, feel + adjective, get up, hurry up, lie down, meet, remember, rest, relax, sit down, stand up, wake up, wonder, worry.   There are some idioms with reflexive pronouns: enjoy oneself, behave oneself, help oneself, make oneself at home, control oneself.

 

 

 

 

 

7. Complete the conversation.

 

Rachel and Vicky are at Mike and Harriet’s party.

- Have you two (meet) before?

- Yes, we have. Rachel and I are old friends.

- Oh, right. Well, I hope you will (enjoy) tonight.

- I’m sure we will. I (feel) just in the mood for a party.

- Well, please (help) to a drink. Are you OK, Vicky?

- Sorry, I’ve got this awful feeling that I have to do something very important, and I can’t (remember) what it is.

- Vicky, you (worry) too much. Come on, just (relax) and (make) at home.

 

8. Put in reflexive pronouns or object pronouns.

 

Keep smiling.

Psychiatrists have proved that happiness is the secret of good health.

Mood can really affect the body __________. This means we all have to look after __________. We have to enjoy __________ and take pride in … and we’ll rarely have to visit the doctor. Praise helps __________ to learn and is good for us, too. We all know how pleased young kids feel when they learn to dress __________ and do things by __________. We should praise __________ for their achievements. Bosses rarely have a good word for __________. Yet if we want to be happy and healthy, we need people around ___________ who keep telling __________ how marvelous we are. Then we __________ will believe that we are marvelous, too.