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Reflexive pronouns
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| A Introduction Myself is a reflexive pronoun. In the sentence I've cut myself, the words I and myself mean the same thing. Myself refers back to the subject, I. |
| FIRST PERSON SECOND PERSON THIRD PERSON |
| singular myself yourself himself/herself/itself plural ourselves yourselves themselves |
B Form
Compare yourself and yourselves.
Emma, you can dry yourself on this towel. Vicky and Rachel, you can dry yourselves on these towels.
C The use of reflexive pronouns
Here are some examples.
Mark made himself a sandwich. Vicky had to force herself to eat. We've locked ourselves out. The children watched themselves on video.
We cannot use me, you, him, etc to refer to the subject. Compare these sentences. When the policeman came in, the gunman shot him. (him = the policeman) When the policeman came in, the gunman shot himself, (himself = the gunman)
We can use a reflexive pronoun after a preposition.
The children are old enough to look after themselves. But after a preposition of place, we can use me, you, him, etc.
In the mirror I saw a lorry behind me. Mike didn't have any money with him.
Laura thought she recognized the woman standing next to her.
D Idioms with reflexive pronouns
Look at these examples.
We really enjoyed ourselves. (= had a good time)
I hope the children behave themselves. (= behave well)
]ust help yourself to sandwiches, won't you? (= take as many as you want)
Please make yourself at home. (= behave as if this was your home)
/ don't want to be left here by myself. {= on my own, alone)
E Verbs without a reflexive pronoun
Some verbs do not usually take a reflexive pronoun, although they may in other languages. We'd better hurry, or we'll be late, not We'd better-hurry-ourselves. Shall we meet at the cinema? I feel uncomfortable. Just try to relax.
Some of these verbs 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
We do not normally use a reflexive pronoun with change (clothes), dress and wash.
Daniel washed and changed before going out. (See also Unit 54D.) But we can use a reflexive pronoun when the action is difficult.
My friend is disabled, but she can dress herself.
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| 100 Exercises |
| 1 Reflexive pronouns (A-C) Look at the pictures and write sentences with a reflexive pronoun. Use these words: dry, introduce, look at, photograph, teach |
► He's photographing himself.
1 She ……………………………………………………… 3 ……………………………………………
2 They ………………………………………………….. 4 ……………………………………………
2 Reflexive pronouns (A-C)
Complete the conversations. Put in a reflexive pronoun (myself, yourself, etc).
► Matthew: I'll get the tickets, shall I?
Emma: It's OK. I can pay for myself.
1 Olivia: I've got lots of photos of my children.
Linda: Yes, but you haven't got many of ………………………. , Olivia.
2 Rita: Did you have a good time at the Holiday Centre?
Laura: Well, there wasn't much going on. We had to amuse
3 Emma: Why has the light gone off?
Matthew: It switches..................................... off automatically.
3 Pronouns after a preposition (C and Unit 98B)
Put in the correct pronoun (e.g. me or myself).
? We looked up and saw a strange animal in front of us.
? Don't tell us the answer to the puzzle. We can work it out for ourselves.
1 It's a pity you didn't bring your camera with...............................................
2 Mark talked to the woman sitting next to ........................................
3 The old man is no longer able to look after ..........................................
4 My mother likes to have all her family near ..........................................
5 To be successful in life, you must believe in .........................................
4 Idioms with and without reflexive pronouns (D-E)
Rachel and Vicky are at Mike and Harriet's party. Complete the conversation.
Put in the verbs with or without a reflexive pronoun.
Mike: Have you two (►) met (met) before?
Rachel: Yes, we have. Vicky and I are old friends.
Mike: Oh, right. Well, I hope you (►) enjoy yourselves (enjoy) tonight.
Rachel: I'm sure we will. I (1) ……………………………….. (feel) just in the mood for a party.
Mike: Well, please (2) ………………………………… (help) to a drink. Are you OK, Vicky?
Vicky: Sorry, I've got this awful feeling that I have to do something very important, and I can't
(3) ............................................... (remember) what it is.
Rachel: Vicky, you (4) …………………………………. (worry) too much. Come on, just
(5) ................................................ (relax).
Date: 2014-12-22; view: 2346
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