Reflexive pronouns and "each other"
We use the particle -self or -selves to make a reflexive pronoun. A reflexive pronoun refers back to the personal pronoun which is the subject of the sentence.
Examples
I can do it myself.
I can’t describe the taste of that dish. You should try it yourself.
She hates herself.
Guys, don’t be shy. Help yourselves!
We're enjoying ourselves.
How to form reflexive pronouns
| Pronoun | Reflexive pronoun |
|---|---|
| I | myself |
| you | yourself yourselves (множ.) |
| he | himself |
| she | herself |
| it | itself |
| one | oneself |
| we | ourselves |
| they | themselves |
Important to remember
The singular reflexive pronouns end in -self, while the plural end in -selves.
One — oneself is a special form of pronouns used to express abstract ideas about people in general, not about a certain person.
It is difficult to make oneself concentrate when it is so noisy around.
With modern technology, there are multiple ways to present oneself online.
When to use reflexive pronouns
1) to show that the subject and the object are the same
He fell off the chair and hurt himself. subject = object
He didn't want to hurt your feelings. subject ≠ object
2) to add emphasis
We usually put a personal pronoun after a noun or a pronoun when we want to stress its importance.
The director himself showed us around. = the director personally
He received a letter from the Queen herself. = the Queen personally
3) by + reflexive pronoun, to say that someone did something personally, without anyone's help
- by myself = on my own
- by yourself = on your own
- by himself = on his own
etc.
I painted the house all by myself.
She wants to learn to manage by herself.
Each other
There are two people and the same action is directed at both of them: ↔︎
We do not want to repeat the verb twice, so we use "each other".
"Each other" doesn't change, it is always in the same form.
Examples
I help you and you help me. → We help each other.
She knows him well and he knows her well. → They know each other well.
Julia loves Frederic and Frederic loves Julia. → They love each other.
Bill and Steven have had an argument. Bill doesn't speak to Steven and Steven doesn't speak to Bill. → They don't speak to each other.
My husband trusts me and I trust him. → My husband and I trust each other.