Unit 62

myself/yourself/themselves etc.

Grammar
Examples
Exercises

A. Reflexive Pronouns

He is looking at himself.
Help yourself!
They're enjoying themselves.
I
myself
you (singular)
yourself
he
himself
she
herself
it
itself
we
ourselves
you (plural)
yourselves
they
themselves
  • I looked at myself in the mirror.
  • He cut himself with a knife.
  • She fell off her bike but she didn't hurt herself.
  • Please help yourselves. (two or more people)
  • Please help yourself. (one person)
  • We had a good holiday. We enjoyed ourselves.
  • They had a nice time. They enjoyed themselves.

B. Compare me/him/them etc. and myself/himself/themselves etc.

me/him/them etc.
(= different people)
  • She is looking at him.
  • You never talk to me.
  • I didn't pay for them.
  • Did I hurt you?
myself/himself/themselves etc.
(= the same person)
  • He is looking at himself.
  • Sometimes I talk to myself.
  • They paid for themselves.
  • Be careful. Don't hurt yourself.

C. by myself / by yourself etc. = alone:

  • I went on holiday by myself. (= I went alone)
  • Was she with friends? 'No, she was by herself.'

D. each other

  • Jill and Ann are good friends. They know each other well.
    (= Jill knows Ann / Ann knows Jill)
  • Paul and I live near each other. (= he lives near me / I live near him)

Compare each other and -selves:

each other
  • Steve and Sue looked at each other.
    (= he looked at her / she looked at him)
-selves
  • Steve and Sue looked at themselves.
    (= he looked at himself / she looked at herself)

Reflexive Pronouns

  • I looked at myself in the mirror.
  • He cut himself with a knife.
  • She didn't hurt herself.
  • Please help yourselves.
  • We enjoyed ourselves.

me/him vs myself/himself

  • She is looking at him. (different)
  • He is looking at himself. (same)

by myself / by yourself

  • I went on holiday by myself.
  • She was by herself.

each other

  • They know each other well.
  • Steve and Sue looked at each other.
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62.1 Finish the sentences with myself/yourself etc.
1. He looked at himself in the mirror.
2. I'm not angry with you. I'm angry with .
3. Margaret had a nice time in London. She .
4. My friends had a nice time in London. They .
5. I picked up a very hot plate and .
6. He never thinks about other people. He only thinks about .
7. I want to know more about you. Tell me about . (one person)
8. Goodbye! Have a nice holiday and look after . (two people)
62.2 Write sentences with by myself / by yourself etc.
1. I went on holiday alone. I went on holiday by myself.
2. When I saw him, he was alone.
3. Don't go out alone.
4. I went to the cinema alone.
5. My sister lives alone.
6. Many people live alone.
62.3 Write sentences with each other.
They like each other.
They can't see each other.
I often write to her and she often writes to me.
I don't know him.
I'm sitting next to her.
I gave her a present and she gave me a present.
1. .
2. .
3. .
4. .
5. .
6. .
62.4 Complete the sentences. Use each other or ourselves/yourselves/themselves or us/you/them.
1. Paul and I live near each other.
2. Who are those people? Do you know ?
3. You can help Tom and Tom can help .
4. There's food in the kitchen. If you and Chris are hungry, you can help .
5. We didn't go to Ann's party. She didn't invite .
6. When we go on holiday, we always enjoy .
7. Mary and Jane were at school together but they never see now.
8. Diane and I are very good friends. We've known for a long time.
9. 'Did you see David and Diana at the party?' 'Yes, but I didn't speak to .'
10. Many people talk to when they're alone.