Reflexive Pronouns in English Grammar

What are the English reflexive pronouns?

The English reflexive pronouns end in -self or -selves. There are nine reflexive pronouns in the English language: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, oneself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves.

We use reflexive pronouns in English when the subject and object of a verb are one and the same.

Learn about reflexive pronouns in English grammar with Lingolia’s online grammar rules. In the exercises, you can test your knowledge.

I look at myself in the mirror - the earrings look beautiful.

I ask myself if they’re worth the money.

Given that the saleswoman made them herself, I think the price is fair.

When to use reflexive pronouns in English

We use reflexive pronouns when the subject and the object of the verb are one and the same.

Example:
I look at myself in the mirror.
I do the looking and am looked at

We also use reflexive pronouns to express that someone did something alone without anyone else’s help.

Example:
The saleswoman made the earrings herself.

Differences to other languages

Reflexive verbs are not very common in the English language. Verbs that are typically reflexive in other languages are not reflexive in English.

The following verbs, for example, are not reflexive in English: feel, concentrate, relax, meet.

Example:
Larry feels good.
not: Larry feels himself good

Common reflexive verbs in English

There are a few verbs which are usually followed by reflexive pronouns. The most improtant ones are listed in the table below:

Verb Example
behave oneself Behave yourselves at Grandma and Grandpa’s house this weekend.
cut oneself Alex cut himself while he was chopping onions for dinner.
dry oneself In the morning I wake up, have a shower, dry myself, get dressed and leave the house.
enjoy oneself Amy enjoyed herself at the party that night.
express oneself Art is the only way I can express myself.
hurt oneself Be careful! I don’t want you to hurt yourself.
introduce oneself Let me introduce myself, my name is Bond – James Bond.

List of reflexive pronouns

Singular Plural
1st person 2nd person 3rd person 1st person 2nd person 3rd person
myself yourself himself herself itself ourselves yourselves themselves

Note

In the singular, the reflexive pronoun is formed with -self, in the plural with -selves.

Example:
I can see myself in the mirror.
We can see ourselves in the mirror.

In the second person, we have to indicate whether we're talking to one person or more people.

Example:
You can be proud of yourself. (one person)
You can be proud of yourselves. (two or more people)

Info

In English, the reflexive pronouns are not used to indicate a reciprocal relationship. In this case, we use each other.

Example:
We help each other. = I help you and you help me.
not: we help ourselves