REFLEXIVE pronouns | EMPHATIC pronouns | RECIPROCAL pronouns - myself, yourself...

Summary

In this educational video, Arnel delves into English grammar, focusing on reflexive, emphatic, and reciprocal pronouns. He explains that reflexive pronouns are essential when the subject and object are the same, using examples like 'Jo bought herself a coffee.' Emphatic pronouns, also known as intensive pronouns, are optional and used for emphasis, as in 'The CEO himself thanked me.' Arnel clarifies that 'themself' is commonly used but not always grammatically correct. He also covers the use of 'oneself' for formal situations. Lastly, he introduces reciprocal pronouns 'each other' for two people and 'one another' for groups, noting modern English often uses them interchangeably.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and object of a sentence refer to the same person or thing, such as 'Jo bought herself a coffee'.
• 📚 There are eight reflexive pronouns in English, ending with 'self' or 'selves', and they correspond to subject pronouns.
• 💡 The singular reflexive pronoun 'themself' is commonly used but not always considered grammatically correct, especially in formal writing.
• 👥 Reflexive pronouns 'they' and 'themselves' are often used as singular pronouns for ease of communication, despite traditional grammar rules.
• 🚫 Avoid using 'themself' in academic writing or formal exams due to its informality.
• 🎨 The formal reflexive pronoun 'oneself' is used to refer to a person in general, without specifying who that person is.
• 📢 Emphatic pronouns, also known as intensive pronouns, are used for emphasis and are optional in a sentence.
• 🏢 Emphatic pronouns can highlight the importance or impressiveness of an action, such as 'The CEO himself came to my office'.
• 🏁 Emphatic pronouns can also be placed at the end of a clause to emphasize that an action was done without help, like 'They did it themselves'.
• 🤝 Reciprocal pronouns 'each other' and 'one another' are used to show a mutual action between two or more people, respectively.
• 🔄 The pronouns 'each other' and 'one another' can often be used interchangeably, but 'each other' is typically for two people and 'one another' for three or more.

Q & A

What are the three types of pronouns discussed in the script?

The three types of pronouns discussed are reflexive pronouns, emphatic pronouns (also called intensive pronouns), and reciprocal pronouns.

How are reflexive pronouns used in a sentence?

Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and the object of a sentence refer to the same entity. They end with 'self' or 'selves' and must refer back to the subject.

What is a common mistake made with reflexive pronouns by native speakers?

A common mistake made by native speakers is using reflexive pronouns like 'myself' in cases where they are not necessary, such as 'Tamar and myself will be available' instead of the correct 'Tamar and I'.

Why is 'themself' considered non-standard in formal English?

'Themself' is considered non-standard in formal English because it is often used as a singular pronoun, which can be grammatically incorrect. It is more appropriate to use 'himself' or 'herself' depending on the gender.

What is the difference between reflexive and emphatic pronouns?

Reflexive pronouns are necessary and cannot be removed from a sentence without changing its meaning. Emphatic pronouns, on the other hand, are optional and are used to add emphasis to the subject's action.

Can you provide an example of how emphatic pronouns are used to emphasize the subject's action?

In the sentence 'I myself think it's a great idea,' the emphatic pronoun 'myself' is used to emphasize that the speaker personally holds the opinion, adding weight to the statement.

What is the function of 'oneself' as a reflexive pronoun?

'Oneself' is a formal reflexive pronoun that refers to a person in general, without specifying anyone. It is used when the action is reflective or when emphasizing a general sense of self.

How do reciprocal pronouns differ from reflexive and emphatic pronouns?

Reciprocal pronouns, such as 'each other' and 'one another,' indicate a mutual action between two or more people, whereas reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject, and emphatic pronouns emphasize the subject.

What is the general rule for using 'each other' versus 'one another'?

The general rule is to use 'each other' for actions between two people and 'one another' for actions involving three or more people. However, in modern usage, these pronouns are often used interchangeably.

How can the position of an emphatic pronoun in a sentence affect its meaning?

When an emphatic pronoun is placed after the subject, it emphasizes the subject's action. If it is moved to the end of a clause or sentence, it often implies that the action was done without help.

What is the significance of the phrase 'by myself' in the context of emphatic pronouns?

The phrase 'by myself' indicates that an action was performed alone, without assistance from others. It is used to emphasize solitude or independence in performing a task.