Pronouns : Words ending with 'self' & 'selves' for Class 3 English

Reflexive pronouns are used when the object and the subject of the verb indicate the same person or thing. This concept has been detailed with the reflexive pronoun definition with examples. Students are also made aware of the common mistakes that could occur while using the words like themselves, herself, himself, etc in a sentence.

In this concept the students will learn to:

• Use the words self and selves with 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd person, singular and plural nouns.
• List the rules to remember while using pronouns.

This concept for class 3 has been presented using illustrations and mind maps. You can assess your learning by solving the reflexive pronouns exercises  given at the end of this page. Download the reflexive pronouns worksheets and check the solutions provided in PDF format.

Reflexive Pronoun Definition:

• Words that end with '-self' and '-selves' are called Reflexive pronouns.
• Reflexive pronouns refer to a person or thing on whom the action is performed. In other words, reflexive pronouns are always objects of the verb in a sentence.
• For example, words like itself, himself, herself, myself, yourself, yourselves, ourselves, themselves are reflexive pronouns.
• They are used to express when someone is performing an action on her/his own.
• -selves is used in the plural and -self in the singular pronouns.
• It is necessary to use reflexive pronouns to give a basic meaning to the sentence.

Reflexive Pronoun Examples::

Usage of Reflexive Pronouns

Plural/Singular	Reflexive Pronoun	Examples	Corresponding Personal Pronoun
Plural
1st Person	ourselves	We enjoyed ourselves a lot.	We
2nd Person	yourselves	"Please take care of yourselves", said the Principal.	You
3rd Person	themselves	They cooked the food all by themselves.	Them/They
Singular
1st Person	myself	I made the shirt for myself.	I/me/my
2nd Person	yourself	Keep the secret to yourself.	You
3rd Person(Female)	herself	She brought the dress for herself.	She/Her
3rd Person(Male)	himself	He blamed himself for all the chaos.	He/Him

Common Mistakes

1. While using a reflexive pronoun in a sentence, do not write the root separate from the suffix. It      should be written as one word as there is no space between the two parts of the word.

Example:

Be your self.

2. Using ‘self’ instead of ‘selves’. The suffix used in a reflexive pronoun ‘selves’ is used in the          plural form and ‘self’ is the singular form. ‘Self’ is used at the end of reflective pronouns like          himself, herself, myself, itself, yourself.

    ‘Selves’is used at the end of reflexive pronouns with plural pronouns like themselves,                   ourselves and yourselves.

Example:

They did it themselves.

They did it themself.

3. A common error is to use a reflexive pronoun instead of a personal pronoun like I, he, me or        him.

Example:

For the weekend function, few others and I will be performing a classical dance.

For the weekend function, few others and myself will be performing a classical dance.

1. The pronoun here is part of a compound subject: ‘few others and I’. the letter is‘I’ is the subject pronoun here.

All the discussions between the third party and me will be as per protocol.

All the discussions between the third party and myself will be as per protocol.

The pronoun here is part of the compound object of a preposition: “between the third party and me.” ‘Me’ is the object form here.

4. Don’t use a reflexive pronoun after a preposition of place or location.

Example:

She put the bag next to herself.

Rules

1. Reflexive Pronouns with Objects.
1. When an action is done for ourselves, it is used.

                   verb + reflexive pronoun + object Reflexive pronoun common mistakes 

               ii. verb + object + reflexive pronoun, when we want to stress that the action was                           done by the same person.

                   Reflexive pronoun common mistakes 

               

      b. By with Reflexive Pronouns

          When the person is alone or not with anybody else then use by + yourself/myself/himself              etc.