English Reflexive Pronouns. English grammar with exercises. Free eBook and Free printable PDF. Esl printable Worksheets
English Reflexive Pronouns
English Reflexive Pronouns
The reflexive pronouns are:
singular: | myself | yourself | himself | herself | itself |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
plural: | ourselves | yourselves | themselves |
We use a reflexive pronoun as a direct object when the object is the same as the subject of the verb:
I fell over and hurt myself.
Be careful with that knife. You might cut yourself.
We can use a reflexive pronoun as direct object with most transitive verbs, but these are the most common:
amuse blame cut dry | enjoy help hurt introduce | kill prepare satisfy teach |
Some verbs change their meaning slightly when they have a reflexive pronoun as direct object:
Would you like to help yourself to another drink?
= Would you like to take another drink?
I wish the children would behave themselves.
= I wish the children would behave well.
He found himself lying by the side of the road.
= He was surprised when he realised that he was lying by the side of the road.
I saw myself as a famous actor.
= I imagined that I was a famous actor.
She applied herself to the job of mending the lights.
= She worked very hard to mend the lights.
He busied himself in the kitchen.
= He worked busily in the kitchen.
I had to content myself with a few euros.
= I had to be satisfied with a few euros.
Exercises
English Reflexive Pronouns
EXERCISE 1.
Complete the following sentences using reflexive pronouns.
- Ow! I’ve cut _______________.
- I hope you’ll enjoy ___________ at the party tonight.
- I can’t help you with that, do it ___________ !
- She tried to do the exercise by ____________ but she wasn’t able to do it.
- The teacher asked the pupils to behave _____________.
- He’s not confident: he doesn’t believe in _________ at all.
- They’re so vain, they’re always looking at __________ in the mirror.
- They passed all their exams with very high marks, they must be very proud of ____________!
- “Who told you about Jane?” “Jane ______________ told me she was pregnant.”
- Peter hurt ______________ while playing football.
- Amanda and Dave had a wonderful holiday last year; they enjoyed __________ so much that they’ve decided to go back to the same place this year.
EXERCISE 2.
Correct the sentences if necessary.
- We are late, we should hurry ourselves.
- Have fun and enjoy yourselves.
- If you concentrate yourself a bit more you won’t have any problems in doing these exercises.
- I called Susan and I told her I’ll meet herself at the cinema.
- I’m saving up and I can’t afford myself to buy anything.
- Don’t be rude, behave yourself!
- Breath deeply and relax yourself!
- Please sit down yourself: make yourself comfortable!
- Could you please tell ourselves how to get to the station?
- She’s so selfish, she always thinks about herself.
- My dog is very dirty I need to wash himself.