Reflexive And Emphatic Pronouns Exercises Pdf

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Understanding reflexive and emphatic pronouns is essential for mastering English grammar. These pronouns help in making sentences clear, emphasizing actions, and avoiding repetition. However, many learners struggle to differentiate between them.

In this guide, we will explore the definitions, uses, examples, and common mistakes related to reflexive and emphatic pronouns. Additionally, we provide exercises to practice and improve your grammar skills.

1. What Are Reflexive and Emphatic Pronouns?

A. Reflexive Pronouns

Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and object of the sentence are the same person or thing. They show that the action of the verb is reflected back on the subject.

List of Reflexive Pronouns

  • Singular: Myself, Yourself, Himself, Herself, Itself
  • Plural: Ourselves, Yourselves, Themselves

Examples of Reflexive Pronouns

  1. I cut myself while chopping vegetables.
  2. She looked at herself in the mirror.
  3. The cat licked itself clean.
  4. We should take care of ourselves.

B. Emphatic Pronouns

Emphatic pronouns are used to emphasize the subject of the sentence. They are identical in form to reflexive pronouns but serve a different function.

Examples of Emphatic Pronouns

  1. I myself baked the cake.
  2. He himself admitted his mistake.
  3. The manager herself attended the meeting.
  4. We ourselves completed the project.

💡 Key Difference: Reflexive pronouns reflect an action back to the subject, while emphatic pronouns stress the importance of the subject.

2. How to Identify Reflexive vs. Emphatic Pronouns

A simple way to check if a pronoun is reflexive or emphatic is to remove it from the sentence.

  • If the sentence no longer makes sense, it is a reflexive pronoun.
  • If the sentence still makes sense, it is an emphatic pronoun.

🔹 Example 1 (Reflexive Pronoun)
✅ She taught herself French.
🚫 She taught French. (Incorrect! The sentence loses meaning.)

🔹 Example 2 (Emphatic Pronoun)
✅ She herself taught French.
✅ She taught French. (Correct! The sentence still makes sense.)

3. Common Mistakes with Reflexive and Emphatic Pronouns

A. Using Reflexive Pronouns Unnecessarily

🚫 Incorrect: “My friend and myself went to the park.”
✅ Correct: “My friend and I went to the park.”

B. Confusing Reflexive and Emphatic Pronouns

🚫 Incorrect: “I hurt myself in the game.” (If meant for emphasis, it is incorrect.)
✅ Correct: “I myself played the game well.”

C. Forgetting Reflexive Pronouns Where Needed

🚫 Incorrect: “She looked at the mirror.”
✅ Correct: “She looked at herself in the mirror.”

4. Exercises on Reflexive and Emphatic Pronouns

A. Fill in the Blanks

  1. I made this dress ____.
  2. He introduced ____ to the new classmates.
  3. The dog entertained ____.
  4. We prepared the meal ____.
  5. She cleaned the entire house ____.

B. Identify Reflexive or Emphatic Pronouns

  1. The president himself signed the agreement.
  2. We enjoyed ourselves at the party.
  3. She found herself in a difficult situation.
  4. They themselves decided to quit the job.
  5. The child hurt himself while playing.

C. Rewrite the Sentences Using Reflexive or Emphatic Pronouns

  1. John baked the cake. (Add emphasis)
  2. The children played in the park. (Use reflexive pronoun)
  3. Sarah completed the assignment. (Add emphasis)
  4. The players congratulated each other. (Use reflexive pronoun)
  5. I painted this picture. (Add emphasis)

5. Answer Key for Exercises

A. Fill in the Blanks

  1. I made this dress myself.
  2. He introduced himself to the new classmates.
  3. The dog entertained itself.
  4. We prepared the meal ourselves.
  5. She cleaned the entire house herself.

B. Identify Reflexive or Emphatic Pronouns

  1. Emphatic
  2. Reflexive
  3. Reflexive
  4. Emphatic
  5. Reflexive

C. Rewrite the Sentences

  1. John himself baked the cake.
  2. The children enjoyed themselves in the park.
  3. Sarah herself completed the assignment.
  4. The players congratulated themselves.
  5. I myself painted this picture.

6. Final Tips for Using Reflexive and Emphatic Pronouns

✅ Remember the function: Reflexive = Action reflects back; Emphatic = Extra emphasis.
✅ Check if the sentence makes sense without the pronoun to identify its type.
✅ Avoid using reflexive pronouns where a subject pronoun is needed.
✅ Practice regularly with different sentences to strengthen understanding.

By mastering reflexive and emphatic pronouns, you can improve sentence clarity and fluency in English. Keep practicing with exercises and apply these rules in everyday writing!