English Language Arts
Grade 8
15 min
Use reflexive pronouns
Use reflexive pronouns
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify reflexive pronouns in various textual contexts.
Correctly use reflexive pronouns to indicate that the subject of a sentence is performing an action upon itself.
Differentiate between reflexive and intensive pronouns.
Explain the grammatical function of a reflexive pronoun within a sentence.
Revise sentences to correct common errors in reflexive pronoun usage, such as incorrect forms or misuse as subjects.
Construct original sentences that accurately employ reflexive pronouns, ensuring agreement with their antecedents.
Have you ever talked to yourself in the mirror? 🗣️ Or perhaps you've seen a dog scratching itself with its hind leg? 🐶
In this lesson, we'll explore reflexive pronouns – special words that 'reflect' an action b...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
PronounA word that takes the place of a noun or another pronoun to avoid repetition.Instead of 'Sarah went to the store, and Sarah bought a book,' we say 'Sarah went to the store, and *she* bought a book.'
AntecedentThe noun or pronoun that a pronoun refers back to or replaces.When we say 'The student taught *himself* to code,' 'The student' is the antecedent for 'himself'.
Reflexive PronounA type of pronoun that refers back to the subject of the sentence, indicating that the subject is performing an action upon itself. They always end in -self (singular) or -selves (plural).She accidentally cut *herself* while chopping vegetables.
Intensive PronounA pronoun that looks identical to a reflexive pronoun but is used for...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Subject-Object Identity Rule
A reflexive pronoun is used when the subject of the sentence is also the direct or indirect object of the verb, meaning the action 'reflects' back on the performer.
This rule ensures clarity by showing that the person or thing doing the action is also the one receiving it. If the subject and object are different, a regular object pronoun (me, him, her, us, them) should be used instead.
Reflexive Pronoun Forms and Agreement
Reflexive pronouns are formed by adding -self (singular) or -selves (plural) to personal pronouns. They must agree in number and gender with their antecedent.
The correct forms are: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves. Incorrect forms like 'hisself' or 'thei...
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Challenging
The sentence 'My co-author and myself collaborated on the research' is grammatically flawed. Which principle does it most directly violate?
A.The Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement rule, because 'myself' does not agree with 'co-author'.
B.The 'Not a Subject' Rule, because a reflexive pronoun cannot function as a subject, even in a compound construction.
C.The Subject-Object Identity Rule, because the action is not being performed by the subject upon itself.
D.The rule differentiating reflexive and intensive pronouns, because 'myself' is used for emphasis here.
Challenging
A historian is writing about Queen Elizabeth I, who famously led her country without a king. Which sentence most effectively and correctly uses a reflexive pronoun to capture this sense of self-reliance?
A.Queen Elizabeth I, a powerful monarch, ruled the country by herself.
B.The country was ruled by Queen Elizabeth I and herself.
C.Queen Elizabeth I established herself as a formidable and independent ruler.
D.Myself, as a historian, believe Queen Elizabeth I was a powerful ruler.
Challenging
Analyze the sentence: 'Despite the team's collective effort, the star player, who often pushed himself to the limit, felt that he alone had to hold himself accountable for the loss.' What is the antecedent of the second reflexive pronoun, 'himself'?
A.the team
B.collective effort
C.he
D.the star player
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