Reflexive pronouns are pronouns that refer back to the subject of the sentence.

They are formed by adding -self or -selves to singular nouns and plural nouns, respectively.

Reflexive pronouns should always agree with their antecedents.

Examples:

• Mr. Macaraeg sacrificed himself for his family.

• Their parents have time to talk by themselves.

• The computer will not work by itself. It will need somebody to operate it.

The words himself, themselves, and itself are reflexive pronouns.

Reflexive pronouns refer the action back to the subject of the sentence.

When referring to a singular subject, the word -self is added to my, your, him, her, and it.

For plural subjects, the word -selves is added to our, your, and them.

A reflexive pronoun must always have an antecedent in the sentence.

Examples:

• Mr. Macaraeg sacrificed himself for his family.

• Their parents have time to talk by themselves.

• The computer will not work by itself. It will need somebody to operate it.

In the examples, Mr. Macaraeg is the antecedent of himself; parents is the antecedent of themselves; and computer is the antecedent of itself.

Reflexive pronouns must always agree with their antecedents in gender, number, and person.