When the subject and the object are one and the same
In short: Grammar is the set of rules that allows language to function. One of its most specific tools is the reflexive pronoun, used when an action reflects back onto the person performing it. Mastering these pronouns is essential for clarity, especially when distinguishing between simple actions and those performed for emphasis.
When a sentence's subject and object refer to the identical entity, reflexive pronouns—including ourselves and herself—are utilised. In Standard American English, these pronouns act as direct objects when the action of a verb impacts the performer. For example, one might say, "I fell over and hurt myself." They can also function as indirect objects, such as when you pour yourself a drink, or as the object of a preposition, such as feeling sorry for oneself.
However, usage is not universal across all verbs. We generally do not use reflexive pronouns for routine personal care tasks that people typically perform on themselves, such as washing or shaving. In these cases, saying "He washed" is sufficient. A reflexive pronoun is only introduced here to provide emphasis or to indicate a struggle, such as stating that someone is old enough to wash themselves or that a person dressed themselves despite being injured.
Beyond simple identification, these pronouns can change the very meaning of a verb. To "help yourself" to a drink means to take it, while to "apply yourself" to a task implies working with great intensity. Furthermore, the preposition "by" can transform a reflexive pronoun into a marker of independence or solitude, indicating that a person completed a meal alone or prepared it without any assistance. Using them intensively can also highlight a specific subject, such as noting that Sir Paul McCartney himself sang a particular song.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Reflexive pronouns | The parts of speech | Grammar | Khan Academy
- Also: Reflexive pronouns
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