Using Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns worksheet - Free Printable

Let's solve each sentence by filling in the correct reflexive or intensive pronoun, and then identifying whether it is reflexive or intensive.

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🔹 Key Concepts:

- Reflexive pronouns: Used when the subject and object of the sentence are the same. They reflect the action back to the subject.
- Examples: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves.
- *Function*: Emphasizes that the action is done by the subject to itself.

- Intensive pronouns: Used to emphasize a noun or pronoun already mentioned. They add emphasis but are not essential to the meaning.
- Same forms as reflexive pronouns, but used for emphasis.
- Example: I did it myself (emphasizing that I did it alone).

> ✔ Tip: If removing the pronoun changes the meaning (i.e., the sentence becomes incomplete), it's reflexive.
> If removing it doesn't change the meaning (just removes emphasis), it's intensive.

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Now, let’s go through each sentence:

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1. I would rather take care of the problem _____.

- Fill in: myself
- Sentence: "I would rather take care of the problem myself."
- Meaning: The speaker wants to do it personally.
- This emphasizes the speaker doing it alone → intensive.
- ✔ Answer: myself, intensive

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2. We really hope that you both enjoy _____ at the county fair.

- Fill in: yourselves
- Sentence: "You both enjoy yourselves" → means they are having fun.
- "Enjoy oneself" is a common phrase where the pronoun refers back to the subject (you).
- This is reflexive because the action (enjoying) is directed back to the subject.
- ✔ Answer: yourselves, reflexive

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3. The exam _____ should not take more than an hour to complete.

- Fill in: itself
- Sentence: "The exam itself should not take more than an hour..."
- Here, "itself" emphasizes the exam — it's just the exam, not anything else.
- It adds emphasis → intensive.
- ✔ Answer: itself, intensive

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4. After stepping onto the podium, the athletes _____ accepted the medals.

- Fill in: themselves
- Sentence: "The athletes themselves accepted the medals."
- Emphasizes that the athletes did it personally (maybe implying no one else helped).
- Adds emphasis → intensive.
- ✔ Answer: themselves, intensive

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5. With a blunt demeanor, Jerry _____ often creates many problems.

- Fill in: himself
- Sentence: "Jerry himself often creates many problems."
- Emphasizes Jerry as the source of the problem → intensive.
- ✔ Answer: himself, intensive

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6. Somehow, the lost cat found the way back home all by _____.

- Fill in: itself
- Sentence: "All by itself" → means without help.
- The cat did it on its own → reflects the action back to the subject.
- This is reflexive because "by itself" indicates the cat performed the action alone.
- ✔ Answer: itself, reflexive

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7. My sister and I _____ will undertake the long, arduous journey.

- Fill in: ourselves
- Sentence: "My sister and I ourselves will undertake..."
- Emphasizes that the two people are doing it personally.
- Adds emphasis → intensive.
- ✔ Answer: ourselves, intensive

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8. Jim and Aaron volunteered to set up the soundstage _____.

- Fill in: themselves
- Sentence: "Jim and Aaron volunteered... to set up the soundstage themselves."
- Emphasizes they did it without help.
- Adds emphasis → intensive.
- ✔ Answer: themselves, intensive

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9. Let's keep the party a secret between _____.

- Fill in: ourselves
- Sentence: "Between ourselves" → means only we know.
- "Between ourselves" is a common expression indicating exclusivity.
- The pronoun refers back to the speakers → reflexive? Wait — actually, this is tricky.

Let’s analyze:
- "Between ourselves" = between us (the speakers). The pronoun refers back to the subject ("we").
- But here, “ourselves” is used to show that the secrecy is limited to the group (us).
- However, "between ourselves" is a fixed expression using reflexive pronouns.
- So even though it seems like emphasis, it's actually reflexive because the action (keeping secret) is shared among the subjects.
- ✔ Answer: ourselves, reflexive

> 📌 Note: Some grammar sources consider "between ourselves" as reflexive due to the reciprocal nature.

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10. Should you _____ need help, please do not hesitate to call.

- Fill in: yourself
- Sentence: "Should you yourself need help..."
- Emphasizes "you" — personal, direct appeal.
- "Yourself" adds emphasis to the person being addressed.
- So it's intensive.
- ✔ Answer: yourself, intensive

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✔ Final Answers:

| Sentence | Pronoun | Type |
|--------|--------|------|
| 1 | myself | intensive |
| 2 | yourselves | reflexive |
| 3 | itself | intensive |
| 4 | themselves | intensive |
| 5 | himself | intensive |
| 6 | itself | reflexive |
| 7 | ourselves | intensive |
| 8 | themselves | intensive |
| 9 | ourselves | reflexive |
| 10 | yourself | intensive |

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📝 Summary:

- Reflexive: When the pronoun refers back to the subject and is necessary for meaning (e.g., "She hurt herself").
- Intensive: When the pronoun adds emphasis but isn’t essential (e.g., "I did it myself").

This worksheet helps distinguish between these subtle but important uses of pronouns.