Reflexive and intensive pronouns are both types of pronouns that end in -self or -selves, and they can look exactly the same. However, they serve different functions in sentences.
Reflexive Pronouns
- A reflexive pronoun reflects back to the subject and is used when the subject and the object are the same.
- Examples of reflexive pronouns include myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves.
- Reflexive pronouns are used as the direct object, indirect object, or object of a preposition in a sentence.
- They are essential to understanding the meaning of the sentence and cannot be removed without affecting the sentences meaning.
Intensive Pronouns
- An intensive pronoun emphasizes a preceding noun, which is often the noun immediately before the pronoun.
- Examples of intensive pronouns include myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves.
- Intensive pronouns are used to add emphasis to a noun and are not essential to understanding the meaning of the sentence.
- They can be removed from a sentence without affecting its meaning.
In summary, reflexive pronouns reflect back to the subject and are essential to the meaning of the sentence, while intensive pronouns emphasize a preceding noun and can be removed without changing the sentences meaning.
