Reflexive Pronouns

In general, a simple reflexive pronoun is a word used to represent the objective noun object of a sentence which is the same noun object as the action of the subjective noun object act upon.

As a reflexive representation of a singular subject, word "myself" is used in first person, word "yourself" is used in second person, and words "himself, herself, itself" are used in third person.

Since words "myself" and "youself" are used to represent a definite first or second person, the consideration of gender is not needed. But for a third person that have been mentioned before, the consideration of gender is needed to make the expression of a sentence more clear in sense. By means of gender, word "himslef" is for masculine object, word "herself" is for feminine object, and word "itself" is for neuter object, thing, animal and situation etc.

1. I accidentally cut myself.
2. You can buy yourself a new phone.
3. Tom bought himself a nice new watch.
4. Tom and his son went shopping yesterday. Tom bought both him and himself a nice new watch.
5. Mary bought herself a new dress.
6. The thermal protection device can reset itself automatically.
7. A cat will rub Itself against things to transfer scent.
8. The company cannot protect itself from potential abuses by users

As a reflexive representation of plural subjects, there is a corresponding plural form for each singular form, word "ourselves" is used in first person, word "yourselves" is used in second person, and word "themselves" are used in third person.

1.  Tom and I are travelling to Europe in May. We plan most things by ourselfves.
2. You and Mary form a couple. You both can communicate yourselves freely.
3.  Tom and Mary won a trip to Europe.  They will have three days to enjoy themselves in Paris.

Table of Simple Reflexive Pronouns and others

List of Reflexive Pronouns

1. herself
2. himself
3. itself
4. myself
5. ourselves
6. themselves
7. yourself
8. yourselves