Reflexive pronouns

Reflexives are used when the object is the same person/thing as the subject.

I cut myself shaving this morning.

Sometimes a reflexive pronoun refers to something that is not the subject.

His letters are all about himself.

Reflexive pronouns can be used to emphasize the subject or object – to say that “person/thing & nobody/nothing else”.

I’ll see the President himself if necessary.

Verbs normally used without reflexives: wash, shave, dress, feel, behave, hurry, relax, concentrate, meet. However we can use a reflexive pronoun with wash & dress when we talk about young children.

I’m teaching my little son how to dress himself.

Common expressions with reflexives: enjoy yourself! (Have a good time!), behave yourself! (be good), I like being by myself. (I like being alone), She lives by herself. (She lives on her own), Help yourself to (you’re welcome to take some …), Make yourself at home. (feel comfortable), make yourself heard (speak loudly enough to be heard by others).

Exercises

Ex. 1. Insert a reflexive pronoun where necessary.

1. He shaves … every other day. 2. Go and wash …. 3. She washed … quickly and went to prepare breakfast. 4. He likes his wife to dress … well. 5. Behave …! 6. You can’t behave …. 7. The child fell and hurt … badly. 8. The book was ever so interesting that I could not tear … from it. 9. Be careful with the knife, you may cut …. 10. I tried to make … agreeable. 11. He thinks too much of …. 12. Sit down and make … at home. 13. I’m sure they will succeed in the aim they put before …. 14. We established … in a hotel. 15. She was beside … with anger. 16. She looked in the mirror and could not recognize ….

Ex. 2. Complete the sentences using myself/yourself, etc.

1. Be careful! That pan is very hot. Don’t burn …. 2. I want to know you better. Tell me about …. 3. It isn’t her fault. She really shouldn’t blame …. 4. Did you make the dress …? 5. The boy was lucky when he fell down the stairs. He didn’t hurt …. 6. Tom cut … while he was shaving this morning. 7. He spends most of his time alone, so it’s not surprising that he talks to …. 8. Don’t worry about us. We can look after …. 9. Here is the money, go and buy … an ice-cream.

Ex. 3. Complete these sentences, using myself, etc. only where necessary.

1. Tom is growing a beard because he doesn’t like shaving …. 2. The telephone rang while I was taking a shower. I dried … and ran into the room. 3. I tried to study but I just couldn’t make …. 4. Jack and I first met … at a party five years ago. 5. You’re working too much. Why don’t you relax … more? 6. It was a lovely holiday. We really enjoyed … very much. 7. The routine is the same every morning I wash … and have breakfast. 8. I really don’t feel … well today, I’ll stay in bed.

Ex. 4. Complete the following sentences with selves/self or each other.

1. How long you & Nick known …? 2. We write to … every week. 3. He is very selfish. He thinks only of …. 4. They are in love & often look at …. 5. It’s not your fault. You shouldn’t blame …. 6. We haven’t seen … for at least 2 years. 7. Take some money with … if you need it. 8. You’ll need photos of … for your membership cards. 9. Put … in my position & you’ll understand me. 10. I can’t understand why they don’t like …. 11. It’s my problem. I have made a decision …. 12. Be careful, you must be able to defend …. 13. On Valentine’s Day young people give presents to …. 14. I don’t know that you live near …. 15. We haven’t seen … for ages. 16. At Christmas friends often give … presents. 17. I enjoyed … very much at the party. 18. Jack and Jill are very happy together. They love … very much. 19. She has no reason to blame …. 20. I think this poor dog has hurt …. 21. Nora and I don’t see … very often these days. 22. Look at …. Your face is dirty. 23. How long have Tom and Ann known …?

Ex. 5. Complete these sentences using on my own/by myself, etc.

1. She hated being in the house on … . She was afraid to be alone. 2. The box was too heavy for me to lift by … . 3. You can’t expect them to do everything by … . 4. Very young children should not be allowed to go swimming by … . 5. Mothers shouldn’t leave children in the house on … . 6. We’ve often made that mistake by … . 7. Do you like working with other people or do you prefer working by …? 8. If you can’t help we’ll have to do it on … . 9. Learner-drivers are not allowed to drive on … .

Ex. 6. Use reflexive or personal pronouns where necessary.

1. He is very selfish. He only thinks of …. 2. Look behind …! You’ve dropped something. 3. When she came to … she found … on the hospital bed. 4. It was so dark that we could hardly see in front of …. 5. Take care of …! Don’t work so hard. 6. I don’t like anybody to do my work instead of …. 7. It’s cold. Close the door behind …. 8. I always keep this dictionary in front of … on my desk. 9. She cut … badly & had to go to hospital. 10. Tom, I think you’ll enjoy … at the party. 11. I think they are making fools of …. 12. We made him tell about …, but it was difficult. 13. He introduced … to me. 14. The chairman announced the news …. 15. Here’s the money, go & buy … anything you like. 16. She is quite capable, she can do it …. 17. When we are alone we talk to …. 18. I’m not angry with you. I’m angry with …. 19. I don’t like people who think only about …. 20. Did you make it …? 21. She’ll be very upset but I have to tell her the news …. 22. We … did most of the work. Nobody helped us. 23. Nobody is going to help us, so we’ll have to do it …. 24. When do you feel … glad? 25. Relax … when you dance. 26. We haven’t decided yet where we’d meet …. 27. Look at the kitten. It’s washing …. 28. If you don’t want to make mistakes in your work, you should concentrate …. 29. Who went with her? – Nobody. She went by …. 30. He got up, washed …, shaved …, dressed …, & left the house. 31. Have a good time. Try to relax … & enjoy …. 32. She decided to excuse … his bad behavior. 33. Why don’t you want to concentrate …? Pull … together & start work. 34. She didn’t know where to hide …. 35. Though it was rather cold in the room he felt … hot. 36. Have you shaved … today? 37. She found … in an awkward situation. 38. Did the children behave …? 39. We protected … against damage. 40. She stopped crying, washed … & decided to go downstairs.

Ex. 7. Use for, to, by where necessary with the reflexive pronouns.

1. I read the letter … first & then gave it to my mother. 2. Mary doesn’t like noisy companies. She prefers to stay …. 3. Did she go on holiday …? 4. If you don’t believe me you can come & see it …. 5. I saw this program on TV …. 6. The suitcase is too heavy for me to carry it …. 7. I took the opportunity to talk to him seeing that he was …. 8. I’ll tell you this story & then you can judge it …. 9. “This girl is quite beautiful,” he thought … but said nothing. 10. I heard this news on the radio …

Ex. 8. Translate the words in brackets.

1. Who is this girl? – I don’t know (её). 2. I invited (его) to the party & (он) was very glad. 3. I often meet (его) with (его) girl at the club. 4. That pen is (моя). Can (ты) give (её) to me? 5. (Они) went on holiday with some friends of (их). 6. It’s (их) problem, not (наша). 7. (Я) saw Ann with (её) parents. (Они) were at the theatre. 8. I want those books. Please give (их) to (мне). 9. (Я) never go to parties. I don’t like (их). 10. I am sure we can help (друг другу). 11. Be careful! Don’t burn (обожгись). 12. Don’t pay attention to (ему) – (он) always complains. 13. (Я) told (ей) the truth about (ней). 14. It’s the best if (ты) do it (сам). 15. (Мы) have a lot to say to (друг другу). 16. (Ваш) garden is beautiful. (Он) is a lot bigger than (наш). 17. Be careful, look after (собой).

Ex. 9. Choose personal, reflexive or possessive pronouns.

1. The case is too heavy for children. I’m afraid … can’t carry …. 2. This is the Smiths’ house. … beautiful garden attracts people’s attention. 3. That is the Moores’ house. The beautiful garden of … attracts people’s attention. 4. Don’t worry about … behavior. She is just a child. 5. Kate is always against smoking in … presence. 6. If they had a lot of land of … own they could grow vegetables. 7. The house next door has a fence around … backyard. 8. This is my pen but that one over there is …. 9. Unfortunately, … team played better than …. So we lost the game. 10. Harry is not a friend of …, he is … brother’s friend.

Ex. 10. Translate into English using reflexive pronouns.

1. Он был вне себя от радости. 2. Он увидел это сам. 3. Он не узнал себя в том страшном лице, которое смотрело на него из воды. 4. Она живет одна. 5. Вы поставите себя в очень неловкое положение, если расскажете об этом. 6. Он на себя не похож (look) сегодня. 7. Будьте осторожны, вы можете ушибиться. 8. Он был совершенно один в комнате. 9. Мы представились как корреспонденты вечерней газеты. 10. Вы сделали это совершенно самостоятельно? 11. Возьмите себя в руки. 12. Когда мы приехали, сам губернатор встретил нас в аэропорту. 13. Через несколько минут он снова был самим собой. 14. Девушка шла тихо, напевая про себя. 15. Ведите себя как следует. 16. Они слишком много о себе думают. 17. Вы можете разделить это между собой.

Ex. 11. Translate into English.

1. Один мой друг знает 10 языков. 2. Не забудь взять свой зонтик. Я тебе свой не дам. 3. Он сам знал наш адрес. 4. Он оставил свой ключ в комнате. – У меня есть свой. 5. Я порезался острым ножом. 6. Она поставила перед собой чашку кофе и начала читать утреннюю газету. 7. Она вышла и забыла закрыть за собой дверь. 8. Он не смог сам починить телевизор и попросил своего друга помочь. 9. Она видела это своими собственными глазами. 10. Это твои перчатки? – Да, мои. 11. Как вы себя чувствуете? – Мне лучше, чем вчера. 12. Они понравились друг другу. 13. Позвони мне, и мы увидимся позже. 14. Они посмотрели друг на друга и улыбнулись. 15. Я оставлю эту книгу для себя. 16. Спасибо за помощь. Мы уже сами перевели этот текст. 17. Они поедут за город со своими родителями. 18. Мои родители живут в Лондоне. А твои?