Reflexive,Intensive and Relative Pronouns (Perfect English Grammar)

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 sound formal but not doing a very good job of it.
■ Bad: Sarah and myself filed a police report.
■ Good: Sarah and I filed a police report.
■ Bad: They gave Tom and myself an official reprimand.
■ Good: They gave Tom and me an official reprimand.

10.5.2 INTENSIVE PRONOUNS

Intensive pronouns add emphasis but do not act as the object of the verb. They can appear after the subject, or after the subject’s clause.
■ I myself am a great cook.
■ You told him yourself that he wasn’t allowed at the party.
■ Adam himself must do the reading in order to learn.
■ Even the astronomer herself couldn’t explain

the bright lights in the sky.
■ I saw the missing boat itself pull into the harbor.
■ We intend to do all the work ourselves.
■ You yourselves are responsible for this mess.
■ They themselves said they weren’t bothered by the noise.

10.6 Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns introduce relative clauses. They help make clear what is being talked about. They also tell us more about the subject or the object.

Subject	Object	Possession	Uncertainty
which	which	whose	whichever
that	that
who	whom	whose	whoever/whomever/whosever

Which is for things. Who is a subject pronoun for people. Whom is an object pronoun for people. Whose is a possessive pronoun for people or things. That can be used for things and people, but only for defining relative clauses that specify or make a distinction about what it’s referring to.
■ The car that was stolen was the one they

bought last year.
■ A person who believes gnomes are real is someone I’d like to meet.
■ Our company, which was founded in 1995, is being sold.
■ Meet Shylah, whose sales are expanding in four states.
The relative pronouns that end with -ever introduce variability, choice, or uncertainty.
■ I will accept whichever party invitation arrives before Saturday.
■ Whoever you are behind that mask, I want to thank you.
■ He will hire whomever his boss recommends.
■ The car, whosever it was, is now rusted in the junkyard.