Question

Using reflexive pronouns

Accepted Answer

The words listed below are called 'reflexive pronouns'.

SINGULAR	PLURAL
myself	ourselves
yourself	yourselves
himself, herself	themselves
itself, oneself

These pronouns are always written as just ONE word, e.g. myself, ourselves (NOT my self, our selves):

He managed to escape by disguising himself as a prison officer.

All the singular forms end with -self; all the plural forms end with -selves:

You mustn't blame yourself, Helen. It wasn't your fault.
I hope that you are both looking after yourselves.

If the subject and the pronoun refer to the same person or thing, use myself, himself, etc. (NOT me, him):

We found ourselves in a difficult situation. (NOT 'we found us')
She describes herself as a journalist. (NOT 'she describes her')
I stood there looking at myself in the mirror. (NOT 'looking at me')

Note however that prepositions of place are usually followed by me, him, etc. (NOT myself, himself): 'I could hear footsteps behind me.' 'Do you have any money on you?' 'He'd forgotten to bring his keys with him.'

The verbs enjoy, amuse, hurt, injure and familiarize are often used with a reflexive pronoun:

The children always enjoy themselves at the seaside.
He'd fallen down the stairs and injured himself.

Feel and relax are not usually used with reflexive pronouns:

He soon began to feel better. (NOT 'feel himself better.')
After a hard day's work, I like to relax. (NOT 'relax myself.')

Note however the pattern feel yourself doing sth: 'I felt myself getting redder and redder.'

Specialize and concentrate are never used with reflexive pronouns.

I want to specialize in tropical medicine. (NOT 'specialize myself')
He can't concentrate with the radio on. (NOT 'concentrate himself')

Do not use wash yourself, dress yourself, etc. when you mention the simple things that people do as part of their daily routine:

I always wash/have a wash before breakfast.
I wish you would hurry up and get dressed.

If you use wash yourself, dress yourself, etc. you draw attention to the special skill or ability that the action requires: 'Not many two-year-olds are able to wash and dress themselves.'

I Reflexive Wash Feel Dress Pronouns Singular Plural