064-65
12/3/02
2:49 PM
Page 64
Page 1 of 2
1 Here’s the Idea
●
Pronouns that end in -self or -selves are either reflexive or
intensive pronouns.
Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns
myself
yourself
herself, himself, itself
ourselves yourselves themselves
Reflexive Pronouns
A reflexive pronoun refers to the subject and directs
the action of the verb back to the subject. Reflexive
pronouns are necessary to the meaning of a sentence.
CHAPTER 3
LE CTS
REF
The winners considered themselves lucky.
FL ECTS
RE
How do you prepare yourself for a game?
Notice that if you drop the reflexive pronoun, you change the
meaning of the sentence. (The winners considered lucky.)
Intensive Pronouns
An intensive pronoun emphasizes the noun or pronoun
in the same sentence. Intensive pronouns are not
necessary to the meaning of the sentence.
ASIZES
E MP H
I myself just keep saying, “We’ll win!”
ASIZES
E MP H
The players themselves designed their uniforms.
!
Notice that when you drop the intensive pronoun, the sentence
still makes sense. (I just keep saying, “We’ll win!”)
Hisself and theirselves may look like real words, but they are
not in the dictionary. Use himself and themselves instead.
64 Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics
064-65
12/3/02
2:49 PM
Page 65
Page 2 of 2
2 Why It Matters in Writing
●
Notice how the student sportswriter uses reflexive and
intensive pronouns to emphasize key words and ideas.
The U.S. women’s soccer team won the 1999
World Cup in a final shootout.At the end, the
players themselves were screaming for joy. Injured
player Michelle Akers said: “I found myself
hobbling out to the field to join my team.The
90,185 fans were going crazy. I was struggling to
soak it all in and keep myself together.”
INTENSIVE
REFLEXIVE
PRONOUNS
3 Practice and Apply
●
CONCEPT CHECK: Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns
For each sentence, write the reflexive or intensive pronoun.
Then label it reflexive or intensive.
All for One and One for All
1. My sister Emmy never pictured herself playing team sports. Rflx.
2. Now Emmy herself admits that her best friends are her
soccer teammates. Intv.
3. The players have to get themselves in step with the team. Rflx.
4. One player can’t win a match all by himself or herself! Rflx.
5. Pro athletes themselves encourage young people to join
teams. Intv.
6. Olympic soccer player Mia Hamm said: “Don’t worry
about how well you play; just enjoy yourself.” Rflx.
7. As a teen, pro basketball player Cynthia Cooper found
herself imitating how the pros played. Rflx.
8. She herself didn’t try out for a team until she was 16. Intv.
9. I myself will never forget Sammy Sosa embracing Mark
McGwire—his home-run rival! Intv.
10. Team players think of others besides themselves. Rflx.
●
●
For a SELF-CHECK and more practice, see the EXERCISE BANK, p. 537.
Pronouns 65