Page 127 - Perfect English Grammar: The Indispensable Guide to Excellent Writing and Speaking

■ This is not my brother’s bicycle. His is dark blue.
■ My skirt is the same style as hers.

■ We know which spaniel is ours because of its spots.
■ These are our lacrosse sticks; yours are behind the goal.

■ When you pick up your tickets, pick up theirs, too.

10.5 Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns

Reflexive pronouns and intensive pronouns look exactly alike, but they have
different roles. Intensive pronouns are sometimes assumed to be improper forms

of reflexive pronouns, when in truth they are perfectly grammatical when used

correctly.

10.5.1 REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS

Reflexive pronouns redirect a clause or sentence back to the subject, which is

also the direct object (see section 5.3, Objects).

That is, it is both performing the verb and being acted on by itself. A
reflexive pronoun cannot be removed from a sentence without making the

sentence ungrammatical, unlike an intensive pronoun (see section 10.5.2), which
can be removed without affecting the sentence very much. Note that not all verbs

can be reflexive.

■ I gave myself a headache by eating ice cream too fast.
■ Give yourself a pat on the back, because you did a good job.

■ Since he is his own boss, he gave himself a raise.

■ She allowed herself more time to prepare before the meeting.
■ The computer restarts itself every night.

■ We told ourselves it was lucky we had a spare tire.
■ You’re incriminating yourselves every time you giggle.

■ Children are amazing at entertaining themselves.

Reflexive pronouns are often misused when a speaker or writer is trying to