reflexive pronouns

The reflexive pronouns are:

When we use a reflexive pronoun

We use a reflexive pronoun:

• as a direct object when the object is the same as the subject of the verb:

I am teaching myself to play the piano.
Be careful with that knife. You might cut yourself.

We can use a reflexive pronoun as direct object with most transitive verbs, but these are the most common:

Some verbs change their meaning slightly when they have a reflexive pronoun as direct object:

• Would you like to help yourself to another drink?
  = Would you like to take another drink.
• I wish the children would behave themselves.
   = I wish the children would behave well.
• He found himself lying by the side of the road.
  = He was surprised when he realised that he was at the side of the road.
• I saw myself as a famous actor.
  = I imagined that I was a famous actor.
• She applied herself to the job of mending the lights.
  = She worked very hard to mend the lights.
• He busied himself in the kitchen.
   = He worked busily in the kitchen.
• I had to content myself with a few Euros.
  = I had to be satisfied with a few Euros.

We do not use a reflexive pronoun after verbs which describe things people usually do for themselves, such as wash, shave, dress:

He washed [himself] in cold water.
He always shaved [himself] before going out in the evening.
Michael dressed [himself] and got ready for the party.

We only use reflexives with these verbs for emphasis:

He dressed himself in spite of his injuries.
She’s old enough to wash herself.

• as indirect object when the indirect object is the same as the subject of the verb:

Would you like to pour yourself a drink.
We’ve brought ourselves something to eat.

• as the object of a preposition when the object refers to the subject of the clause:

They had to cook for themselves.
He was feeling very sorry for himself.

We use a reflexive with the preposition by...

• when we want to show that someone did something alone and/or without any help:

He lived by himself in an enormous house.
She walked home by herself.

The children got dressed by themselves.
I prepared the whole meal by myself.

• to emphasise the person or thing we are referring to:

Kendal itself is quite a small town.

especially if we are talking about someone very famous:

Sir Paul McCartney himself sang the final song.

We often put the reflexive pronoun at the end of the clause when we are using it for emphasis:

I baked the bread myself.
She mended the car herself