Difference between Reflexive And Emphatic Pronouns

Reflexive and emphatic pronouns might look similar, but they serve different functions in a sentence.

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.”
Indirect Object: The reflexive pronoun can also be an indirect object.
- 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:

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:

	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