English Language Arts
Grade 9
15 min
Choose between personal and reflexive pronouns
Choose between personal and reflexive pronouns
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Differentiate between the functions of personal and reflexive pronouns within a sentence.
Identify the antecedent for any given reflexive pronoun.
Correct sentences that misuse reflexive pronouns in place of personal pronouns, particularly in compound subjects and objects.
Apply the correct pronoun choice in their own analytical and argumentative writing to ensure clarity and formal tone.
Analyze an author's use of intensive pronouns (a related concept) for rhetorical effect.
Articulate the grammatical rule governing the use of reflexive pronouns.
Have you ever written 'Please send the email to myself' because it sounded more formal? 🤔 Let's find out if that's a power move or a grammar pitfall.
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Personal PronounA pronoun that refers to a specific person or thing and changes its form (case) to indicate its grammatical function as a subject, object, or possessive.In 'She gave the book to him,' 'she' is a subject personal pronoun and 'him' is an object personal pronoun.
Reflexive PronounA pronoun ending in '-self' or '-selves' that refers back to the subject of the same clause. It acts as an object and is essential to the meaning of the sentence.The defendant perjured himself during the testimony. ('himself' refers back to 'the defendant').
AntecedentThe noun or pronoun to which another pronoun (especially a reflexive one) refers.In 'The author challenged herself to write a new chapter,&...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Reflection Rule
A reflexive pronoun MUST refer back to (or 'reflect') the subject of the same clause.
Use a reflexive pronoun only when the person or thing performing the action is also the person or thing receiving the action. If the subject is not the same as the object, you must use a personal pronoun.
The 'Cannot Start' Rule
A reflexive pronoun cannot be the subject of a sentence or clause.
Because a reflexive pronoun must reflect an existing subject within the same clause, it can never appear before its antecedent. This means it cannot function as the subject itself.
The Compound Object Test
To check a compound object (e.g., 'to my friend and me/myself'), remove the other person from the sentence.
If you have a phrase like '...
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Challenging
In a complex sentence, a reflexive pronoun must refer to the subject of its own clause. Which sentence correctly applies this rule? 'The editors, after the author had submitted the final draft, allowed ___ a day of rest.'
A.himself, because the author is the most recent noun.
B.themselves, because the subject of the verb 'allowed' is 'The editors'.
C.them, because the pronoun is the object of the verb 'allowed'.
D.itself, because the 'final draft' is the object of the preceding clause.
Challenging
A character in a play repeatedly says things like, 'The honor should be given to myself' and 'My brother and myself will handle it.' From a rhetorical analysis perspective, what might this consistent pronoun misuse suggest about the character?
A.The character is highly educated and uses advanced grammatical forms.
B.The character is attempting to sound more formal or important than they are, revealing insecurity or pomposity.
C.The author is careless with grammar and has made a mistake.
D.The character is selfless and always thinking of themself in relation to others.
Challenging
A student argues that in the sentence 'The coach gave the team and myself a pep talk,' the pronoun 'myself' is correct because the speaker is part of the group receiving the talk. Why is this reasoning grammatically flawed according to the rules of pronoun use?
A.The reasoning is not flawed; this is a correct and accepted use of 'myself' in modern English.
B.It is flawed because a reflexive pronoun can only be used in the singular, not as part of a group.
C.It is flawed because the 'Reflection Rule' requires a reflexive pronoun to refer to the subject of its clause; here, the subject is 'The coach,' not 'I'.
D.It is flawed because 'myself' is a subjective pronoun and cannot be used as an object.
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