Reflexive pronouns. Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves.
How it works
Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves. They can emphasise who acted or mean alone after by. Do not use a reflexive when the object is a different person.
Examples in context
Notice how each form fits its sentence. Read the context before choosing a form.
She cut herself while cooking.
We made it ourselves.
He lives by himself.
Please help yourself to some food. (one guest)
I introduced myself to the group.
Your progress
Ready to move on?
Mark this lesson as studied when you have finished the explanation.
Completed sentence: She cut herself while cooking. Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves. They can emphasise who acted or mean alone after by. Do not use a reflexive when the object is a different person.
We made it ___.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: ourselves
Completed sentence: We made it ourselves. Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves. They can emphasise who acted or mean alone after by. Do not use a reflexive when the object is a different person.
He lives by ___.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: himself
Completed sentence: He lives by himself. Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves. They can emphasise who acted or mean alone after by. Do not use a reflexive when the object is a different person.
Please help ___ to some food. (one guest)
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: yourself
Completed sentence: Please help yourself to some food. (one guest) Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves. They can emphasise who acted or mean alone after by. Do not use a reflexive when the object is a different person.
I introduced ___ to the group.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: myself
Completed sentence: I introduced myself to the group. Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves. They can emphasise who acted or mean alone after by. Do not use a reflexive when the object is a different person.
Question 1 of 50% complete
She cut ___ while cooking.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: herself
Completed sentence: She cut herself while cooking. Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves. They can emphasise who acted or mean alone after by. Do not use a reflexive when the object is a different person.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: ourselves
Completed sentence: We made it ourselves. Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves. They can emphasise who acted or mean alone after by. Do not use a reflexive when the object is a different person.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: himself
Completed sentence: He lives by himself. Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves. They can emphasise who acted or mean alone after by. Do not use a reflexive when the object is a different person.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: yourself
Completed sentence: Please help yourself to some food. (one guest) Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves. They can emphasise who acted or mean alone after by. Do not use a reflexive when the object is a different person.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: myself
Completed sentence: I introduced myself to the group. Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves. They can emphasise who acted or mean alone after by. Do not use a reflexive when the object is a different person.
Keep learning
Choose your next small step
Continue this topic or practice every English skill at the same level.