Intensive and Reflexive Pronouns

​Intensive and Reflexive Pronouns

​Intensive pronouns and reflexive pronouns end in -self or -selves. These pronouns must always have antecedents. They agree with their antecedents in person, number, and gender.

​Intensive Pronouns

​An intensive pronoun is used to emphasize a preceding noun or pronoun.

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​ I myself have read many stories about survival.

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​In this sentence myself emphasizes its antecedent, the pronoun I.

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​Reflexive Pronouns

​A reflexive pronoun is usually the object of a verb or a preposition. It generally refers to the subject of the sentence

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​ Len bought himself a survival book at the store.

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​In this sentence himself is used as an indirect object. Its antecedent is Len, the subject of the sentence.

Fill in the Blank

Identify the intensive pronoun in each sentence.

The students themselves decided on the theme of survival for their current language arts project.

Fill in the Blank

Identify the intensive pronoun in each sentence.

Life-saving information isn't something we ourselves should keep quiet.

Fill in the Blank

Identify the intensive pronoun in each sentence.

Elena chose to read Julie the Wolves after she herself read a review.

Fill in the Blank

Identify the intensive pronoun in each sentence.

After working hard to make a list of good survival books, David himself offered to share the list.

Fill in the Blank

Identify the intensive pronoun in each sentence.

We heard the survivalist herself talk about her book.

Fill in the Blank

Identify the intensive pronoun in each sentence.

It is important for you yourself to know how to survive if ever out in the wilderness.

Fill in the Blank

Identify the reflexive pronoun in each sentence.

In many books the characters have to survive by themselves -- they are all alone in a difficult situation.

Fill in the Blank

Identify the reflexive pronoun in each sentence.

In Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, the main character finds himself stranded in the Canadian wilderness.

Fill in the Blank

Identify the reflexive pronoun in each sentence.

The young boy teaches himself skills to survive in the wilderness.

Fill in the Blank

Identify the reflexive pronoun in each sentence.

In many of his books, Paulsen's characters find themselves in close contact with animals and nature.

Fill in the Blank

Identify the reflexive pronoun in each sentence.

When I read Hatchet, I put myself in the place of the main character and really experience the adventure.

Fill in the Blank

Identify the reflexive pronoun in each sentence.

You should read because it is fun and you will learn more about yourself.