Reflexive pronouns

These pronouns usually follow the verb and indicate that the subject is both giving and receiving the action. Study the following list.

Myself       ourselves Yourself        yourselves Himself           Herself         themselves        Itself

Note: In the plural, the self changes to selves.

Note: Most forms are made by adding the suffix to the possessive adjective; however, him self, itself, and themselves are made by adding the suffix to the complement form. The forms his self and theirself are always incorrect.

Note: John bought him a new car. (him= another person)

          John bought himself a new car. (himself= john)

Examples of reflexive pronouns:

• I washed myself
• He sent the letter to himself
• She served herself in the cafeteria.
• We hurt ourselves playing football.
• They were talking among themselves
• You can see the difference for yourselves

Reflexive pronouns can also be used for emphasis. This means that the subject did the action alone. In this case, it normally follows the subject.

• I myself believe that the proposal is good.
• He himself set out to break the long distance flying record.
• She prepared the nine-course meal herself.
• The students themselves decorated the room.
• You yourself it must do this homework.
• John himself bought these gifts.

Possessive pronouns forms

These pronouns cannot precede a noun. They are pronouns and thus replace the noun. The noun is understood from the context and is not repeated. Study the following pronouns.

Mine     ours              Yours   yours              His      Hers                 theirs     Its

Example of possessive pronouns

This is my book	This is mine.
Your teacher is the same as his teacher	Yours is the same as his teacher
Her dress is green and my dress is red.	Hers is green and mine is red.
Our books are heavy.	Ours are heavy.
Their coats are too small.	Theirs are too small.
I forgot my homework.	I forgot mine.

Introduction to complement pronouns

Complement pronouns occur in complement position, whether they complement a verb or a preposition. Study the following list.

Me     us You     you Him Her       them It

Note: you and it are the same for subject or complement position. The others are different.

• They called us (complement) on the telephone.
• The teacher gave him (complement) a bad grade.
• John told her (complement) a story.
• The policeman was looking for him (after complement)
• To us (after preposition), it seems like a good bargain.
• Mary is going to class with me (after preposition)

However, remember that many prepositions can also function as other parts of speech, like adverbs or conjunctions. Therefore, you must determine the part of speech of the word from context and not simple rely on your normal understanding of the word.

• Janet will make her presentation after (preposition) him (complement pronoun)
• Janet will make her presentation after (conjunction) he (subject pronoun) finishes his speech.  

Subject pronoun

Subject pronouns occur in the subject position of a sentence or after the verb be. Study the following list of subject pronouns.

I            we    You       you    He        She           they      It

• I (subject) am going to the store.
• We (subject) have lived here for twenty years.
• It was she (subject) who called you. (after the verb be )
• She and (subject) I have seen this movie before.
• George and (subject) I would like to leave now.
• We students (subject) are going to have a party.

Note: we, you, and us can be followed directly by a noun. It the above sentence we students makes it more it more clear exactly who we refers to.

Pronouns before the gerund or infinitive

In cases where the infinitive is used as a complement, any noun or pronoun directly preceding it preceding it will be in the complement form, some common verbs which are followed by the infinitive and which often require an indirect object are listed here.

Allow    invite remind     ask    order   urge     beg    permit   want     convince     persuade    Expert      prepare      instruct        promise

Subject       +   Verb  +    complement form (Pronoun noun)    + (to + verb)………….

• Joe asked Mary to call him when she woke up.
• We ordered him to appear in court.
• In urge you to reconsider your decision.
• They were trying to persuade him to change his mind.
• The teacher permitted them to turn their assignments in late.
• You should prepare your son to take this examination.

However, before the gerund, a noun or pronoun must appear in the possessive form. 

Subject     +    verb     + (possessive form of noun/possessive adjective) + (verb + ing)……

• We understand your not being able to stay longer.
• He regrets her leaving.
• We are looking forward to their coming next year.
• We don’t approve of John’s buying this house.
• We resent the teacher’s not announcing the test sooner.
• We object to their calling at this hour.