Reflexive Verbs Made Simple: Learn with Examples

Reflexive verbs are verbs where the subject and object are the same, meaning the action is performed by the subject on itself. In English, reflexive verbs are less common and often implied, but they are explicitly marked in many languages with reflexive pronouns (e.g., myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves). These verbs describe actions that “reflect” back on the subject.

Below is a comprehensive explanation of reflexive verbs in English, including their structure, usage, examples, and key points.

1. What Are Reflexive Verbs?

A reflexive verb requires a reflexive pronoun as its object, indicating that the subject is performing the action on itself. In English, reflexive verbs are not as structurally distinct as in languages like Spanish or French, but they are used in specific contexts.

• Structure: Subject + Verb + Reflexive Pronoun
  • Example: She cut herself while chopping vegetables.
  • Here, “she” is both the doer (subject) and the receiver (object) of the action “cut,” and “herself” is the reflexive pronoun.
• Reflexive Pronouns:
  • Singular: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself
  • Plural: ourselves, yourselves, themselves

2. When Are Reflexive Verbs Used in English?

Reflexive verbs are used in specific situations in English. Here are the main contexts:

a) When the Subject and Object Are the Same

The action is performed by the subject on itself.

• Example: I taught myself to code.
  • The subject “I” is teaching “myself” (the same person).

b) To Emphasize the Subject’s Action

Reflexive pronouns can emphasize that the subject is performing the action alone or intentionally.

• Example: He fixed the car himself.
  • Emphasis is on “he” doing the action without help.

c) With Certain Verbs That Are Commonly Reflexive

Some verbs are often used reflexively in English, such as “enjoy,” “hurt,” “introduce,” or “behave.”

• Example: We enjoyed ourselves at the party.

d) Idiomatic or Fixed Expressions

Some reflexive verbs are part of fixed phrases or idioms.

• Example: Help yourself to some food.
  • This is a polite way of inviting someone to serve themselves.

e) To Indicate Reciprocal Actions (Rare in English)

In some cases, reflexive pronouns can imply mutual action, though this is less common in English and often replaced by “each other.”

• Example: They saw themselves in the mirror. (Reflexive)
• Compare: They saw each other in the crowd. (Reciprocal, not reflexive)

3. Common Reflexive Verbs in English

While English doesn’t have a distinct category of reflexive verbs like some languages, certain verbs frequently take reflexive pronouns. Here’s a list of common ones:

4. Rules for Using Reflexive Verbs

Here are key grammatical rules and considerations:

a) Reflexive Pronouns Match the Subject

The reflexive pronoun must agree with the subject in number (singular/plural) and person (first, second, third).

• Singular: I → myself, You → yourself, He/She/It → himself/herself/itself
• Plural: We → ourselves, You (plural) → yourselves, They → themselves
• Example: They proud themselves on their achievements.

b) Reflexive vs. Non-Reflexive Use

Some verbs can be used with or without reflexive pronouns, with a change in meaning.

• Non-reflexive: She washed the dishes. (The action is performed on an external object.)
• Reflexive: She washed herself before dinner. (The action is performed on the subject.)

c) Reflexive Pronouns Cannot Be the Subject

Reflexive pronouns can only function as objects, not subjects.

• Incorrect: Myself went to the store.
• Correct: I went to the store by myself.

d) Reflexive Pronouns for Emphasis

When used for emphasis, the reflexive pronoun can often be placed at the end of the sentence or immediately after the subject.

• Example: I did it myself. OR Myself, I did it.

e) Avoid Overusing Reflexive Pronouns

In English, reflexive pronouns are not always necessary, especially when the action is clearly self-directed.

• Example: I washed in the morning. (No need for “myself” as it’s implied.)
• Compare: I cut myself. (Reflexive pronoun is necessary because the action affects the subject.)

5. Examples of Reflexive Verbs in Sentences

Here are more examples categorized by context:

Everyday Actions

• I burned myself on the stove.
• She dressed herself for the party.
• They prepared themselves for the long hike.

Emphasis

• He built the house himself. (No one helped him.)
• We solved the puzzle ourselves. (We did it without assistance.)

Idiomatic Expressions

• Make yourself at home. (Feel comfortable.)
• They pride themselves on their hospitality. (They take pride in it.)

Emotional or Mental States

• She blames herself for the mistake.
• He congratulated himself on the promotion.

6. Reflexive Verbs vs. Reciprocal Pronouns

It’s important to distinguish reflexive verbs from reciprocal actions, which involve two or more people acting on each other.

• Reflexive: They looked at themselves in the mirror. (Each person looked at their own reflection.)
• Reciprocal: They looked at each other. (They looked at one another.)

7. Common Mistakes with Reflexive Verbs

Here are some pitfalls to avoid:

a) Using Reflexive Pronouns Incorrectly

• Incorrect: Myself will call you later.
• Correct: I will call you later.

b) Omitting Necessary Reflexive Pronouns

• Incorrect: She cut while cooking. (Ambiguous or incomplete.)
• Correct: She cut herself while cooking.

c) Overusing Reflexive Pronouns

• Incorrect: I feel myself tired. (In English, “feel” doesn’t typically take a reflexive pronoun.)
• Correct: I feel tired.

d) Confusing Reflexive and Reciprocal

• Incorrect: They love themselves. (Implies each person loves themselves individually.)
• Correct: They love each other. (They love one another.)

8. Reflexive Verbs in Other Languages (Context for English Learners)

For learners familiar with languages like Spanish, French, or Italian, English reflexive verbs may seem less frequent or less structured. In those languages, reflexive verbs are marked with specific pronouns (e.g., Spanish “me lavo” = “I wash myself”) and are used for a broader range of actions, including daily routines or changes in state. In English, many of these actions are implied without reflexive pronouns:

• Spanish: Me levanto. (I get myself up.)
• English: I get up. (No reflexive pronoun needed.)

Understanding this difference can help non-native speakers avoid overusing reflexive pronouns in English.

9. Practice Exercises

To solidify your understanding, try these:

1. Fill in the blank with the correct reflexive pronoun:
   • I accidentally cut _____ while cooking.
   • They enjoyed _____ at the concert.
2. Rewrite the sentence with a reflexive pronoun for emphasis:
   • She painted the house. → She painted the house herself.
3. Identify whether the sentence uses a reflexive or reciprocal pronoun:
   • We helped each other with the project. (Reciprocal)
   • I taught myself to swim. (Reflexive)

10. Summary

• Reflexive verbs in English involve actions where the subject acts on itself, using reflexive pronouns (myself, yourself, etc.).
• They are used for self-directed actions, emphasis, or in idiomatic expressions.
• Common verbs like “enjoy,” “hurt,” and “introduce” often take reflexive pronouns.
• Avoid overusing reflexive pronouns or confusing them with reciprocal pronouns like “each other.”
• Unlike some languages, English doesn’t require reflexive pronouns for many self-directed actions (e.g., “I wash” vs. Spanish “Me lavo”).

By understanding the contexts and rules for reflexive verbs, you can use them accurately and naturally in English.