reflexive pronoun

1.  Reflexive pronoun definition: A reflexive pronoun is a pronoun that follows the antecedent to which it refers. It’s usually used as the object of an action that a thing or person performs upon itself, himself, or herself.

To illustrate, here are a few examples of reflexive pronoun usage:

The narrator of The Canterbury Tales brings himself down to the level of both the reader and the characters he represents.

Here, the subject of the sentence (The narrator of The Canterbury Tales) performs an action (the verb brings) upon himself. The reflexive pronoun himself is the direct object of the action.

Two more examples

As I listened, I asked myself: what is so good about this piece?

They do not perceive themselves as climbers.

2.  Full list of reflexive pronouns: These are the common ones:

• myself
• yourself
• himself
• herself
• itself
• oneself
• themselves
• ourselves
• yourselves

3.  Reflexive vs. intensive pronouns: Reflexive pronouns are not to be confused with intensive pronouns, which are used to give emphasis to their antecedents.