We have a new Spotlight lesson on Injuries this week, and reflexive pronouns and injuries go hand in hand. We say he cut himself, she burned herself, and he hurt himself, to name a few examples. Whether you’re using our Injuries lesson or simply teaching reflexive pronouns, we’ve got some tips for you below!
Reflexive Pronouns
FORM: Reflexive pronouns include a mix of possessive adjectives (my, your, our) and object pronouns (him, her, it, them) + “self.” Use “oneself” (not “one’s self”) for the general third person singular pronoun. (Scroll down to “English Pronouns” for a review of the five main types of pronouns.)
- 1st person singular: Myself
- 2nd person singular: Yourself
- 3rd person singular: Himself / Herself / Itself
- 1st person plural: Ourselves
- 2nd person plural: Yourselves
- 3rd person plural: Themselves
FUNCTION: We use reflexive pronouns when the subject and object of a sentence are the same person/people. Reflexive pronouns are used when someone caused the action that is happening to them, or for emphasis. A good trick to help students remember the grammar term “reflexive” is to think of a mirror. You look at yourself in the mirror—the mirror reflects your image. This reflect-reflexive connection has always helped my students remember this word and its meaning.
Make sure students understand that the subject of the sentence and the reflexive pronoun must be the same person/people! We can say he cut himself, but never he cut yourself, for example.
EXAMPLES: Reflexive pronouns are commonly used with injuries, but some other common cases are mentioned below as well.
- She hurt herself when she picked up the heavy box.
- Why is there tissue on your face? Did you cut yourself shaving this morning?
- I usually burn myself when I fry bacon.
- He will cause himself a lot of pain if he’s not careful.
- John is always injuring himself playing football.
- They couldn’t stop staring at themselves in the mirror after their makeovers.
- My cat cleans itself every time it comes in from outside.
- Stop feeling sorry for yourself.
- We finished it ourselves, so we don’t need to hire someone to do it. (emphasis)
- I myself don’t even know how to do it! (emphasis)
PRACTICE: Try our Injuries vocabulary lesson, and watch/discuss these funny videos of kids having minor mishaps!
More English Pronouns
Here is a quick review of the five main types of pronouns (in case your students need it).
1. Subject Pronouns:
- I
- You (singular)
- He / She / It
- We
- You (plural)
- They
2. Object Pronouns:
- Me
- You (singular)
- Him / Her / It
- Us
- You (plural)
- Them
3. Possessive Pronouns:
- Mine
- Yours (singular)
- His / Hers
- Ours
- Yours (plural)
- Theirs
4. Possessive Adjectives:
- My
- Your (singular)
- His / Her / Its
- Our
- Your (plural)
- Their
5. Reflexive Pronouns:
- Myself
- Yourself (singular)
- Himself / Herself / Itself
- Ourselves
- Yourselves (plural)
- Themselves
Find our Injuries lesson in the Word Bank – Describing People & Things.
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