Intensive pronouns are powerful tools in English grammar, adding emphasis and clarity to sentences. Understanding how to use them correctly can significantly enhance your writing and speaking skills.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to intensive pronouns, covering their definition, structure, usage rules, common mistakes, and advanced applications. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will help you master the art of using intensive pronouns effectively.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of Intensive Pronouns
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories of Intensive Pronouns
- Examples of Intensive Pronouns in Sentences
- Usage Rules for Intensive Pronouns
- Common Mistakes with Intensive Pronouns
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Introduction
Intensive pronouns are essential for adding emphasis to nouns or pronouns within a sentence. They serve to highlight the subject or object, reinforcing its importance or clarifying who or what is performing an action.
Mastering their usage allows for more precise and impactful communication, both in writing and speech. This article is designed for English language learners of all levels who wish to improve their grammar and communication skills.
By understanding the nuances of intensive pronouns, you can elevate your ability to express yourself with confidence and accuracy.
Definition of Intensive Pronouns
An intensive pronoun is a pronoun that emphasizes a noun or pronoun already in the sentence. It refers back to the subject and adds emphasis but is not essential to the sentence’s basic meaning. If you remove an intensive pronoun, the sentence will still be grammatically correct, although it will lose some of its emphasis. Intensive pronouns always end in -self or -selves.
Intensive pronouns are often confused with reflexive pronouns, but their functions differ. A reflexive pronoun is necessary for the sentence’s meaning; it refers back to the subject when the subject is also the object of the verb.
An intensive pronoun, on the other hand, is purely for emphasis and can be removed without affecting the sentence’s core meaning.
Classification
Intensive pronouns belong to the broader category of pronouns, specifically those that relate back to another noun or pronoun in the sentence. They are classified as intensive because their primary function is to intensify or emphasize the antecedent.
Function
The primary function of an intensive pronoun is to add emphasis or stress to a noun or pronoun. They highlight the importance of the subject (or object) and draw attention to it.
This emphasis can be used to convey surprise, determination, or a sense of personal involvement.
Contexts
Intensive pronouns are used in a variety of contexts, including:
- Emphasizing the subject: I myself saw the accident.
- Emphasizing the object: She blamed herself for the mistake.
- Expressing surprise or disbelief: Did you bake this cake yourself?
- Conveying determination: We will complete the project ourselves.
Structural Breakdown
Intensive pronouns are formed by adding -self to singular personal pronouns and -selves to plural personal pronouns. They must agree in number and gender with the noun or pronoun they are emphasizing.
The basic structure is:
Pronoun + self/selves
Here’s a breakdown of the intensive pronouns and their corresponding personal pronouns:
| Personal Pronoun | Intensive Pronoun |
|---|---|
| I | myself |
| You (singular) | yourself |
| He | himself |
| She | herself |
| It | itself |
| We | ourselves |
| You (plural) | yourselves |
| They | themselves |
As the table shows, each personal pronoun has a corresponding intensive pronoun. It’s crucial to use the correct form to maintain grammatical accuracy.
Types and Categories of Intensive Pronouns
Intensive pronouns are categorized based on the personal pronoun they correspond to. There are no distinct “types” of intensive pronouns beyond this categorization.
The key is to match the intensive pronoun to the appropriate personal pronoun.
Singular Intensive Pronouns
Singular intensive pronouns refer to a single person or thing. These include myself, yourself, himself, herself, and itself.
Example: I myself will handle the arrangements.
Plural Intensive Pronouns
Plural intensive pronouns refer to multiple people or things. These include ourselves, yourselves, and themselves.
Example: We will paint the house ourselves.
Gender-Specific Intensive Pronouns
Some intensive pronouns are gender-specific, such as himself (masculine) and herself (feminine). It’s important to use the correct pronoun based on the gender of the noun or pronoun being emphasized.
Example: John built the table himself.
Example: Mary wrote the novel herself.
Examples of Intensive Pronouns in Sentences
Here are several examples illustrating the use of intensive pronouns in various contexts. These examples are categorized to help you understand the different ways intensive pronouns can be used to add emphasis.
Subject Emphasis
In these examples, the intensive pronoun emphasizes the subject of the sentence, highlighting who is performing the action.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| I myself witnessed the event. | Emphasizes that I was the one who saw it. |
| You yourself are responsible for this mess. | Highlights that you are the one to blame. |
| He himself admitted his mistake. | Emphasizes that he took responsibility. |
| She herself organized the entire conference. | Highlights that she was the organizer. |
| We ourselves baked all these cookies. | Emphasizes that we were the bakers. |
| They themselves decided to leave early. | Highlights that they made the decision. |
| The president himself attended the ceremony. | Emphasizes that the president was present. |
| The dog itself opened the gate. | Highlights that the dog managed to open it. |
| I myself can’t believe what happened. | Emphasizes that the speaker is surprised. |
| You yourself need to take responsibility. | Emphasizes the listener’s obligation. |
| He himself prepared the entire meal. | Emphasizes his culinary effort. |
| She herself designed the building. | Highlights her architectural skill. |
| We ourselves will pay for the damages. | Emphasizes the group’s commitment to payment. |
| They themselves volunteered to clean up. | Highlights their willingness to help. |
| The company itself issued the apology. | Emphasizes the company’s direct involvement. |
| The car itself started making strange noises. | Highlights the car’s unusual behavior. |
| I myself am surprised at the outcome. | Implies the speaker had different expectations. |
| You yourself said you would handle it. | Reminds the listener of their promise. |
| He himself wrote the entire report. | Emphasizes his individual effort. |
| She herself managed to fix the problem. | Highlights her problem-solving skills. |
| We ourselves witnessed the accident. | Emphasizes the group’s direct observation. |
| They themselves painted the mural. | Highlights their artistic contribution. |
| The city itself funded the project. | Emphasizes the city’s financial support. |
| The computer itself shut down unexpectedly. | Highlights the computer’s malfunction. |
Object Emphasis
In these examples, the intensive pronoun emphasizes the object of the sentence, highlighting who or what is receiving the action.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| I blamed myself for the accident. | Emphasizes that I was the one who took the blame. |
| You are only hurting yourself. | Highlights that you are the one suffering. |
| He bought himself a new car. | Emphasizes that he was the recipient of the car. |
| She gave herself a well-deserved vacation. | Highlights that she earned the vacation. |
| We treated ourselves to a fancy dinner. | Emphasizes that we enjoyed the dinner. |
| They prepared themselves for the challenges ahead. | Highlights that they were getting ready. |
| The dog scratched itself behind the ear. | Emphasizes that the dog was scratching itself. |
| The company restructured itself to improve efficiency. | Highlights that the company made the changes. |
| I allowed myself a cheat day. | Emphasizes the speaker’s permission. |
| You are deceiving yourself if you think that’s true. | Highlights the listener’s self-deception. |
| He denied himself the pleasure of dessert. | Emphasizes his self-restraint. |
| She taught herself to play the guitar. | Highlights her self-directed learning. |
| We convinced ourselves that everything would be alright. | Emphasizes the group’s attempt to reassure themselves. |
| They built themselves a new house. | Highlights their home construction. |
| The cat cleaned itself meticulously. | Emphasizes the cat’s grooming behavior. |
| The organization rebranded itself to attract new members. | Highlights the organization’s transformation. |
| I consider myself fortunate. | Expresses the speaker’s personal belief. |
| You are fooling yourself if you believe his lies. | Indicates the listener is being misled. |
| He pushed himself to the limit. | Emphasizes his extreme effort. |
| She allowed herself some time to relax. | Highlights her self-care. |
| We blamed ourselves for the mistake. | Emphasizes the group’s acceptance of responsibility. |
| They congratulated themselves on a job well done. | Highlights their self-praise. |
| The machine repaired itself automatically. | Emphasizes the machine’s self-repair capability. |
| The project managed itself with minimal supervision. | Highlights the project’s self-sufficiency. |
Expressing Surprise
Intensive pronouns can be used to express surprise or disbelief, often in questions.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Did you bake this cake yourself? | Expresses surprise that you baked it. |
| Did he build that house himself? | Expresses surprise that he built it. |
| Did she write that article herself? | Expresses surprise that she wrote it. |
| Did they fix the car themselves? | Expresses surprise that they fixed it. |
| Can the computer fix itself? | Expresses surprise that the computer can fix itself. |
| Do you really believe that yourself? | Expresses disbelief in the listener’s claim. |
| Did the cat really open the door itself? | Expresses surprise that the cat opened it. |
| Did the company resolve the issue itself? | Expresses surprise that the company resolved it. |
| Did you design this website yourself? | Shows surprise at the listener’s skill. |
| Did he complete the marathon himself? | Expresses surprise at his endurance. |
| Did she paint that mural herself? | Shows surprise at her artistic talent. |
| Did they organize the entire event themselves? | Expresses surprise at their organizational skills. |
| Did the software update itself automatically? | Expresses surprise at the software’s automation. |
| Do you actually enjoy doing that yourself? | Shows surprise at the listener’s preference. |
| Did the robot clean the entire room itself? | Expresses surprise at the robot’s capability. |
| Did the team win the championship themselves? | Shows surprise at the team’s achievement. |
Conveying Determination
Intensive pronouns can also convey a sense of determination or personal involvement.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| I will do it myself. | Expresses determination to do it alone. |
| You must complete the task yourself. | Emphasizes the need for personal effort. |
| He will finish the project himself. | Expresses his determination to complete it. |
| She will take care of the arrangements herself. | Emphasizes her personal involvement. |
| We will handle the situation ourselves. | Expresses the group’s determination to manage it. |
| They will resolve the conflict themselves. | Emphasizes their commitment to finding a solution. |
| The company will address the issue itself. | Expresses the company’s commitment to resolving it. |
| The software will update itself automatically. | Emphasizes the software’s self-updating capability. |
| I will prove them wrong myself. | Shows personal determination to disprove others. |
| You must learn to manage your time yourself. | Emphasizes the need for personal time management skills. |
| He will take full responsibility himself. | Expresses his personal accountability. |
| She will make the final decision herself. | Emphasizes her personal authority. |
| We will defend our rights ourselves. | Expresses the group’s determination to protect their rights. |
| They will finance the entire venture themselves. | Emphasizes their personal financial commitment. |
| The government will investigate the matter itself. | Expresses the government’s direct involvement. |
| The system will correct itself automatically. | Emphasizes the system’s self-correcting capability. |
Usage Rules for Intensive Pronouns
Using intensive pronouns correctly requires adherence to specific rules. These rules ensure that the pronouns agree with the nouns or pronouns they are emphasizing and that they are used appropriately within the sentence structure.
- Agreement: Intensive pronouns must agree in number and gender with the noun or pronoun they are emphasizing.
- Placement: Intensive pronouns are usually placed immediately after the noun or pronoun they emphasize, or at the end of the clause.
- Removability: Intensive pronouns can be removed from the sentence without changing its basic meaning or grammatical correctness.
- Distinction from Reflexive Pronouns: Do not confuse intensive pronouns with reflexive pronouns, which are essential to the sentence’s meaning.
Agreement in Number and Gender
The intensive pronoun must match the number (singular or plural) and gender (masculine, feminine, or neuter) of the noun or pronoun it is emphasizing. For example, use himself for a male subject and herself for a female subject.
Correct: John fixed the car himself.
Incorrect: John fixed the car herself.
Placement of Intensive Pronouns
Intensive pronouns are typically placed directly after the noun or pronoun they emphasize or at the end of the clause for emphasis. The placement affects the emphasis but doesn’t change the grammatical correctness.
Example: I myself will handle the arrangements.
Example: I will handle the arrangements myself.
Removability of Intensive Pronouns
A key characteristic of intensive pronouns is that they can be removed without altering the sentence’s core meaning. This distinguishes them from reflexive pronouns, which are essential for the sentence to make sense.
Original: She herself wrote the letter.
Without intensive pronoun: She wrote the letter.
Intensive vs. Reflexive Pronouns
It’s crucial to differentiate between intensive and reflexive pronouns. Reflexive pronouns are necessary for the sentence’s meaning, while intensive pronouns are not.
Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject when the subject is also the object of the verb.
Reflexive: He hurt himself. (Himself is necessary because the subject is also the object.)
Intensive: He himself hurt his knee. (Himself is for emphasis and can be removed.)
Common Mistakes with Intensive Pronouns
Several common mistakes can occur when using intensive pronouns. Being aware of these mistakes can help you avoid them and use intensive pronouns correctly.
- Using the wrong pronoun form: Using hisself or theirselves instead of himself or themselves.
- Confusing with reflexive pronouns: Using an intensive pronoun when a reflexive pronoun is needed, or vice versa.
- Incorrect agreement: Failing to match the number or gender of the intensive pronoun with the noun or pronoun it modifies.
- Unnecessary use: Overusing intensive pronouns, which can make your writing sound awkward or repetitive.
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| He did it hisself. | He did it himself. | Hisself is not a correct form. |
| They saw theirselves in the mirror. | They saw themselves in the mirror. | Theirselves is not a correct form. |
| I hurt myself, myself. | I hurt myself. | The second intensive pronoun is unnecessary. |
| She herself hurt her. | She hurt herself. | Reflexive pronoun needed since she is the object. |
| He introduced myself to the guests. | He introduced himself to the guests. | The pronoun should be reflexive, not ‘myself’. |
| We enjoyed ourself at the party. | We enjoyed ourselves at the party. | The pronoun should be plural to match ‘we’. |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of intensive pronouns with these practice exercises. Identify the intensive pronouns in the sentences and determine if they are used correctly.
If a sentence is incorrect, correct it.
Exercise 1: Identifying Intensive Pronouns
Identify the intensive pronoun in each sentence. If the sentence does not contain an intensive pronoun, write “None.”
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. I myself will handle the arrangements. | myself |
| 2. She completed the project. | None |
| 3. He himself admitted his mistake. | himself |
| 4. We treated ourselves to a fancy dinner. | ourselves |
| 5. They built the house. | None |
| 6. You yourself are responsible for this. | yourself |
| 7. The dog scratched itself behind the ear. | itself |
| 8. I cleaned the room myself. | myself |
| 9. She bought a new car. | None |
| 10. He fixed the computer himself. | himself |
Exercise 2: Correcting Sentences with Intensive Pronouns
Correct the sentences below that use intensive pronouns incorrectly. If the sentence is correct, write “Correct.”
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. He did it hisself. | He did it himself. |
| 2. They saw theirselves in the mirror. | They saw themselves in the mirror. |
| 3. I myself saw the accident happen. | Correct |
| 4. She herself hurt her. | She hurt herself. |
| 5. We enjoyed ourself at the party. | We enjoyed ourselves at the party. |
| 6. You yourself need to take responsibility. | Correct |
| 7. The cat cleaned itself meticulously. | Correct |
| 8. I allowed myself a cheat day. | Correct |
| 9. He introduced myself to the guests. | He introduced himself to the guests. |
| 10. We blamed ourselves for the mistake. | Correct |
Exercise 3: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct intensive pronoun.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. I __________ will take care of the problem. | myself |
| 2. You __________ need to apologize. | yourself |
| 3. He __________ built the entire house. | himself |
| 4. She __________ organized the event. | herself |
| 5. We __________ will handle the negotiations. | ourselves |
| 6. They __________ decided to leave early. | themselves |
| 7. The computer __________ shut down unexpectedly. | itself |
| 8. I taught __________ to play the piano. | myself |
| 9. You are only fooling __________. | yourself |
| 10. He pushed __________ to the limit. | himself |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, there are more nuanced aspects of intensive pronoun usage to consider. These include the use of intensive pronouns in complex sentences, their role in creating stylistic effects, and their subtle variations in meaning depending on context.
Intensive Pronouns in Complex Sentences
Intensive pronouns can be used effectively in complex sentences to emphasize specific parts of the sentence and to create a stronger impact. They can highlight the subject or object of a subordinate clause, drawing attention to its importance within the overall sentence structure.
Example: Although she herself had doubts, she supported the project publicly.
Stylistic Effects of Intensive Pronouns
Intensive pronouns can be used to create various stylistic effects, such as emphasizing a point, conveying a sense of surprise, or expressing strong emotion. Skilled writers use intensive pronouns to add depth and nuance to their writing.
Example: I saw it with my own eyes myself!
Subtle Variations in Meaning
The meaning of an intensive pronoun can vary slightly depending on the context and the surrounding words. Pay attention to the subtle nuances of meaning to use intensive pronouns with precision.
Example: I myself am not convinced (implies a personal lack of conviction).
Example: I am not convinced myself (implies a general lack of conviction that extends to the speaker).
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between an intensive pronoun and a reflexive pronoun?
Intensive pronouns add emphasis to a noun or pronoun and can be removed without changing the sentence’s meaning. Reflexive pronouns are necessary for the sentence’s meaning and refer back to the subject when the subject is also the object of the verb. - Can an intensive pronoun be used with any noun or pronoun?
Yes, intensive pronouns can be used with any noun or pronoun, as long as they agree in number and gender. - Where should an intensive pronoun be placed in a sentence?
Intensive pronouns are typically placed immediately after the noun or pronoun they emphasize or at the end of the clause for emphasis. - Is it possible to overuse intensive pronouns?
Yes, overusing intensive pronouns can make your writing sound awkward or repetitive. Use them sparingly for emphasis. - What are some common mistakes to avoid when using intensive pronouns?
Common mistakes include using the wrong pronoun form (e.g., hisself), confusing them with reflexive pronouns, and incorrect agreement in number and gender. - Can intensive pronouns be used in questions?
Yes, intensive pronouns can be used in questions to express surprise or disbelief. - How can I improve my use of intensive pronouns?
Practice identifying and using intensive pronouns in various contexts. Pay attention to agreement, placement, and the distinction between intensive and reflexive pronouns. - Are there any exceptions to the rules for using intensive pronouns?
There are no strict exceptions, but the placement and usage can be flexible depending on the desired emphasis and stylistic effect.
Conclusion
Intensive pronouns are valuable tools for adding emphasis and clarity to your writing and speaking. By understanding their definition, structure, usage rules, and common mistakes, you can effectively incorporate them into your communication.
Remember to practice identifying and using intensive pronouns in various contexts to master their usage. With consistent effort, you can elevate your English grammar skills and express yourself with confidence and precision.