Difference between Reflexive And Emphatic Pronouns
Reflexive and emphatic pronouns might look similar, but they serve different functions in a sentence.
Reflexive Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and the object of a sentence are the same person or thing. They reflect the action back to the subject.
Pronouns: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves
Usage:
- Direct Object: The reflexive pronoun acts as a direct object of the verb.
- Example: “She cut herself while cooking.”
- Example: “She cut herself while cooking.”
- Indirect Object: The reflexive pronoun can also be an indirect object.
- Example: “I bought myself a new book.”
- Example: “I bought myself a new book.”
- Prepositional Object: The reflexive pronoun can be the object of a preposition.
- Example: “They looked at themselves in the mirror.”
- Example: “They looked at themselves in the mirror.”
Example:
- “I taught myself how to play the guitar.”
- “The cat cleaned itself.”
Emphatic Pronouns
Emphatic pronouns are used to emphasize the subject of the sentence. They add emphasis but do not change the meaning of the sentence.
Pronouns: These are the same as reflexive pronouns: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves
Usage:
- Emphasis on Subject: The emphatic pronoun is used to stress the subject of the sentence.
- Example: “I myself completed the project.”
- Emphasis on Subject (Alternative Placement): It can also be placed at the end of the sentence for emphasis.
- Example: “She made the cake herself.”
Example:
- “The manager himself approved the new policy.”
- “We ourselves are responsible for the outcome.”
Difference between Reflexive And Emphatic Pronouns
| Reflexive Pronouns | Emphatic Pronouns | |
| Purpose | Reflects the action back to the subject | Emphasizes the subject |
| Pronouns | myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves | myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves |
| Position | They are typically placed after the verb or preposition. | They can come after the noun they emphasize (preferred) or at the end of the sentence. |
| Function in Sentence | Acts as the object (direct, indirect, or prepositional) | Adds emphasis to the subject, not acting as an object |
| Usage | – Subject and object are the same – Used with verbs or prepositions | – Stresses the importance of the subject – Can be placed immediately after the subject or at the end of the sentence |
| Examples | – “She cut herself while cooking.” | – “The manager himself approved the new policy.” |
| – “I bought myself a new book.” | – “We ourselves are responsible for the outcome.” | |
| – “They looked at themselves in the mirror.” | – “I myself completed the project.” | |
| Placement in Sentence | After the verb or preposition | Immediately after the subject or at the end of the sentence |
| Subject-Verb Agreement | Refers back to the subject of the same clause | Emphasizes the subject of the clause |
Understanding these differences helps in using these pronouns correctly to convey the intended meaning in writing and speech.
