Understanding Reflexive Pronouns: Definition, Usage, and Examples

Some of those pronouns are said to be reflexive where the subject refers to itself in carrying out some action. That means the one doing the action is also the one receiving it in most of its cases. Relative pronouns play a significance in removing ambiguity in a sentence and provide easy comprehension.

What Is a Reflexive Pronoun?

A reflexive pronoun refers to the act of referring to the subject in a sentence to describe form or function of structure.

When the action in a particular sentence is made to be done by the subject itself, a reflexive pronoun is employed. This direct object pronoun replaces both the subject and the object and reflect the action back to the subject itself.

They were in high spirits when I prepared myself a cup of coffee.

She looked into the made mirror and saw herself in it.

After it had eaten, the cat licked itself.

How and When to Use Reflexive Pronouns

To Use Reflexive Pronouns, When and How

A reflexive pronoun is used when an action given by a subject is also given by the same subject on himself. It bounces the action back onto itself, that is, the performer and receiver of the act are one and the same. In other words, a reflexive pronoun simply tells us that the subject performing the action is the same as the object on which the action is being done.

Though, it seems that reflexive pronouns are redundant there, they are rather beneficial for the distinction, particularly when used with the third-person plural pronouns. They also point out that such an action is being done by the subject alone.

Example 1:

Original: Most looked at them.

Revised: This group first looked at themselves.

Here, the use of ‘themselves’ is a relief since it resolves the confusion about the identification of ‘them’.

Example 2:

Original: I also learnt to drive a car.

Revised: I also altered my driving style an learnt how to drive a car all by myself.

Here, ‘by myself’ means that the learning process itself was carried out alone, although other alterations might point to assistance.

Importance of Reflexive Pronouns:

Reflexive pronouns are significant because they make the language usage indicate that the performer and the receiver of the action are a single entity. They specify when someone is alone in, e.g. doing, performance of which helps in making sentences more understandable and direct. Reflexive pronouns also contribute towards reduction of the subject and it also makes it clearer who is doing what.