Reflexive Pronouns

• myself
• yourself
• himself
• herself
• ourselves
• themselves

There is a tendency for writers and speakers to choose the reflexive/intensive case of the first person pronoun ( myself ) when they are unsure which case—subject or object—is proper. The reflexive/emphatic/intensive case of a pronoun is used to indicate a reflexive action—an action affecting the one who performs it. This case is also used for emphasis.

Examples:

The hunter had injured himself; I myself had seen him do so.

While sharpening a knife, the butcher cut himself .

I moaned when I saw myself in the mirror.

A reflexive pronoun usually refers to the subject of the sentence.

Example:

He looked at himself in the mirror.

Some reflexive pronouns are used for emphasis.

Examples:

He himself answered the phone, not his secretary.

He answered the phone himself .

Reflexive pronouns should not be used to substitute for personal pronouns.

Incorrect:

Contact Dante or myself if you need a photographer.

Correct:

Contact Dante or me if you need a photographer.

• When you don’t know whether to use I or me , don’t use the reflexive pronoun myself . Myself is a reflexive pronoun used as the object in a sentence when the word to which to which the pronoun refers is the subject of the sentence.

• As president of this company, I am giving myself a raise.
• I am very proud of myself for having worked hard to receive this award.
• On behalf of the orchestra and myself (OR me ), I welcome you.

• The responsibilities will be divided between you and myself .
• There is a big difference between my opponent and myself .
• If you have any questions, contact the office assistant or myself .
• The confidentiality agreement is between the company and myself .

• The responsibilities will be divided between you and me .
• There is a big difference between my opponent and me .
• If you have any questions, contact the office assistant or me .
• The confidentiality agreement is between the company and me .

• Rule 1: Ignore the conjunction and the other noun or pronoun:
• If you have any questions, contact the office assistant or myself.
• Ignore “ or the office assistant.”
• Would you say If you have any questions, contact myself ?
• Or would you say If you have any questions, contact me ?

• The responsibilities will be divided between you and me.
• There is a big difference between my opponent and me.
• The confidentiality agreement is between the company and me.

Although the pronouns I , me , and myself refer to the same person—the person speaking or writing—these pronouns are not interchangeable in a sentence.

The following are not reflexive pronouns:

• hisself
• ourself
• themself
• theirself
• theirself
• theyself

Holyfield handles ( hisself, himself ) very well in the boxing ring.