Intensive Pronouns vs Reflexive Pronouns: Key Differences and Examples
| Intensive Pronoun | Emphasized Subject | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| myself | I | I myself completed the project. |
| yourself | You | You yourself said it. |
| himself | He | He himself fixed the car. |
| herself | She | She herself made the cake. |
| itself | It | The cat itself opened the door. |
| ourselves | We | We ourselves organized the event. |
| yourselves | You (plural) | You yourselves chose the winner. |
| themselves | They | They themselves built the house. |
Intensive Pronouns in English Grammar
Intensive pronouns are words ending in -self or -selves. They are used right after the noun or pronoun they emphasize. The main purpose of intensive pronouns is to stress that someone did something without any help from others.
Difference Between Intensive and Reflexive Pronouns
| Aspect | Intensive Pronoun | Reflexive Pronoun |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Adds emphasis | Acts as object, refers back to subject |
| Effect if removed | Sentence still makes sense | Sentence meaning changes or becomes incorrect |
| Example | I myself baked the cake. | I baked the cake myself. (Refers to who baked) |
How to Use Intensive Pronouns
Use intensive pronouns just after the noun or pronoun you want to emphasize. Remove the intensive pronoun, and the main idea of the sentence stays the same. These pronouns are not necessary for meaning—they only add strength to the subject.
Rules for Using Intensive Pronouns
- Use only for emphasis, never as the main object.
- Match the pronoun to the subject in number and gender.
- Place directly after the word being stressed.
- Do not overuse in formal writing.
Examples of Intensive Pronouns in Sentences
- The president himself attended the meeting.
- You yourself must solve the problem.
- The children themselves cleaned the classroom.
- She herself finished the assignment.
- We ourselves made the decorations.
Common Mistakes and Tips
Do not use intensive pronouns as a subject. For example, do not say, “Myself will do it,” which is incorrect. Always make sure the pronoun emphasizes the correct word. Use these forms only for adding emphasis, not as regular pronouns.
Practical Uses of Intensive Pronouns
Intensive pronouns are used in formal speeches, essays, or writing to highlight personal effort or involvement. In spoken English, they show strong feeling or surprise. Mastery helps with exam grammar questions and writing tasks.
Why Learn Intensive Pronouns With Vedantu?
At Vedantu, we simplify grammar concepts for your academic success. Intensive pronouns are part of English grammar that often appear in school exams and help in clear and impactful communication. Practice these forms to improve both writing and speaking skills.
Related Links for Further Learning
- Introduction to Pronoun – Basic types of pronouns explained.
- Pronouns Reflexive – Learn how reflexive and intensive pronouns are different.
- Demonstrative, Indefinite and Distributive Pronoun – Explore more pronoun forms in detail.
- Personal and Impersonal Pronoun – Compare with other important pronouns.
- Pronouns Interrogative – See how question pronouns are used.
- Pronouns Reciprocal – Learn about actions between two or more people.
- Basics of Grammar – Review other parts of speech for exam preparation.
- Pronouns Quiz – Test your skills with practice questions.
In summary, intensive pronouns are “-self” and “-selves” forms like myself, yourself, themselves, used to add emphasis but not to change the core meaning of a sentence. By mastering their use, you will write and speak clearer English and perform well in exams and daily communication.
FAQs on Intensive Pronouns in English Grammar
1. What is an intensive pronoun and examples?
Intensive pronouns emphasize a noun or pronoun in a sentence; they don't change the sentence's meaning. Examples include myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves. These pronouns add emphasis, making the meaning stronger.
2. What's the difference between reflexive and intensive pronouns?
Both reflexive and intensive pronouns use -self or -selves forms, but their function differs. Reflexive pronouns are the object of the verb and refer back to the subject (e.g., I hurt myself). Intensive pronouns emphasize the noun or pronoun before them (e.g., I myself did it).
3. What is an example of intensive?
The chef himself prepared the meal. Here, "himself" emphasizes that the chef, and no one else, prepared the meal. It is an intensive pronoun because the sentence would still make sense without it but it adds extra emphasis to the chef.
4. What are intensive pronouns?
Intensive pronouns are words that add emphasis to a noun or pronoun in a sentence. They don't change the sentence's grammatical structure or meaning; they simply add extra weight to the subject. Key examples include myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves and themselves.
5. Intensive pronouns examples?
Here are some examples showcasing intensive pronoun usage: *The president himself announced the new policy.* *She baked the cake herself.* *They built the house themselves.* Notice how removing the intensive pronoun does not fundamentally alter the sentence's core meaning but reduces the emphasis.
6. How to identify intensive pronouns?
To identify an intensive pronoun, look for a pronoun ending in -self or -selves. Ask: Does removing the pronoun change the sentence's core meaning? If the meaning remains mostly the same, it is likely an intensive pronoun. Compare it to reflexive pronoun use.
7. Intensive vs reflexive pronouns?
The key difference lies in function. Reflexive pronouns act as both subject and object (e.g., I cut myself). Intensive pronouns simply emphasize the subject (e.g., I did it myself). The removal of a reflexive pronoun alters meaning, whereas removing an intensive pronoun only reduces emphasis.
8. How do you use intensive pronouns in a sentence?
Place the intensive pronoun immediately after the noun or pronoun it emphasizes. For instance: *I myself believe it is true*. The placement of the pronoun strengthens its impact. Ensure the intensive pronoun is not needed grammatically—it only enhances emphasis.
9. What is the difference between intensive and reflexive pronouns?
The main difference is their function. Reflexive pronouns are necessary for the sentence's grammatical structure, as they are both the subject and object of the verb (e.g., She hurt herself). Intensive pronouns merely add emphasis to the noun or pronoun (e.g., I did it myself). Removing the reflexive pronoun changes the sentence's meaning, while removing the intensive pronoun only reduces the emphasis.
10. Are there any exercises to practice intensive pronouns?
Many online resources and textbooks offer intensive pronoun exercises. These typically involve identifying intensive pronouns in sentences, using them correctly in fill-in-the-blank exercises, or distinguishing between intensive and reflexive pronouns. Practice identifying the difference between intensive and reflexive pronouns and working on exercises focused on their correct placement in sentences.
11. Is "myself" always an intensive pronoun?
No, "myself" can be either an intensive or a reflexive pronoun. If it's essential for the sentence's meaning (e.g., I hurt myself), it's reflexive. If it just adds emphasis (e.g., I did it myself), it's intensive. Context determines the function.
12. Can you list all the intensive pronouns with examples?
The English language has eight intensive pronouns: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves. Each emphasizes the subject. For example: *He himself painted the mural.* *We did it ourselves.*
