Table of Contents
Reflexive and reciprocal pronouns
Introduction
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Definition
Reflexive pronouns are used instead of object pronouns when the subject and object are the same.
Gilles looked at his son. = Gilles looked at him.
Gilles looked at himself in the mirror. = Gilles looked at Gilles.
Uses
There are four main uses:
| Use | Examples |
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When the subject and the object are the same.
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He watched himself on TV. |
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When the subject and the object of a preposition are the same.
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She talks to herself a lot. |
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To emphasise the subject.
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They ate all the food themselves - there was none left when the guests arrived.
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With 'by' to say that something is done without assistance from others.
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He can do it by himself now - he doesn't need any help. |
Construction
| Object pronoun | Singular reflexive pronoun | Plural reflexive pronoun |
| me | myself |
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| you | yourself | yourselves |
| him | himself |
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| her | herself |
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| it | itself |
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| us |
| ourselves |
| them |
| themselves |
Examples
Hello, I'd like to introduce myself. My name's Charles.
So, can you finish this by yourself or shall I help?
She made herself a cup of tea.
He'll be so proud of himself if he gets the job.
We always told ourselves we'd move to the seaside when we retired - and we did!
Babies can't feed themselves.
Common mistakes
It is not uncommon to see or hear reflexive pronouns misused by native speakers of English.
These are typical examples which should be avoided:
John and myself are looking forward to meeting you. 
John and I are looking forward to meeting you. 
Please send the document to Paul or myself.
Please send the document to Paul or me.
If you are not sure, then take out the other people from the sentence and you will see that we would not say:
Myself is looking forward to meeting you.
Please send the document to myself.
Common imperative expressions
Come in. It's lovely to see you. Do make yourselves at home.
Can I try one of those cakes? Yes, of course - help yourself.
Bye. Have a good time at the party - enjoy yourselves.
Mind yourself! Just behave yourselves, will you!
By oneself [See one.]
As well as the meaning mentioned above, this can also mean 'alone'.
Her children have left home so she lives by herself now.
He hates working by himself and is much happier in a team.
Reciprocal pronouns
We use 'each other' when each member of a pair or group does something to or for the other(s).
Consider these two contrasting examples:
They looked at themselves in the mirror. = The man looked at himself and the boy looked at himself.
They looked at each other. = He looked at her and she looked at him.
More examples
They love each other.
They ask each other questions about the project at every meeting.
They're meeting each other for the first time.
Note that 'one another' has the same meaning as 'each other'. They are interchangeable but 'each other' is more likely to be used for just two people and 'one another' for groups or for people generally.
They always bow to each other when they meet.
All the delegates greeted one another on arrival.
In our team, we work well with each other.
We should all learn to respect one another.
