Using Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns worksheet - Free Printable

Here's the solution to the worksheet “Identifying Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns,” with explanations for each sentence.

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Key Definitions:

- Reflexive Pronoun: Used when the subject and object of a verb are the same person or thing. The action “reflects back” on the subject.
*Examples*: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves.
*Structure*: Subject + Verb + Reflexive Pronoun (as direct/object pronoun).

- Intensive Pronoun: Used to emphasize the subject. It adds stress or importance but can be removed without changing the core meaning of the sentence.
*Same forms as reflexive pronouns*, but functionally different.
*Structure*: Subject + [Intensive Pronoun] + Verb/Other.

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Solutions:

1. Martha told us to help ourselves to the cold cans of soda.
→ ourselves — Reflexive
*Explanation*: “Us” is the object of “help.” The people being helped are the same as the people doing the helping → reflexive.

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2. After the successful mission, the astronauts themselves were relieved.
→ themselves — Intensive
*Explanation*: “Themselves” emphasizes that it was the astronauts (and no one else) who felt relieved. You could say “the astronauts were relieved” and the sentence still makes sense → intensive.

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3. You can either cut the grass yourself or ask your sister to do it.
→ yourself — Intensive
*Explanation*: Emphasizes that YOU are doing it personally. Sentence still works without “yourself” → intensive.

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4. In gratitude, I myself donated money to the worthwhile charity.
→ myself — Intensive
*Explanation*: Emphasizes that “I” personally did the donating. Can remove “myself” — “I donated...” still works → intensive.

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5. Not a fan of tofu, Kendra forced herself to eat the vegetarian meal.
→ herself — Reflexive
*Explanation*: Kendra is both the one forcing and the one being forced → subject and object are the same → reflexive.

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6. Truthfully, only you yourselves are responsible for the difficult situation.
→ yourselves — Intensive
*Explanation*: Emphasizes that “you” (plural) are the ones responsible. Could say “only you are responsible” → intensive.

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7. Surprisingly, the president himself took his dog for a walk.
→ himself — Intensive
*Explanation*: Emphasizes that the president personally did it — perhaps surprisingly, since he might have delegated it. Sentence still works without “himself” → intensive.

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8. Perfectionists, Randall and Peter surpassed themselves on the latest project.
→ themselves — Reflexive
*Explanation*: Randall and Peter surpassed their own previous performance. The object (“themselves”) refers back to the subject → reflexive.

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9. Every morning I must remind myself to take a multivitamin.
→ myself — Reflexive
*Explanation*: I am reminding “me” — subject and object are the same → reflexive.

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10. The sight of the tornado itself caused us to seek immediate shelter.
→ itself — Intensive
*Explanation*: Emphasizes that it was the tornado (not something else) that caused the reaction. Can remove “itself” — “The sight of the tornado caused us...” still works → intensive.

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✔ Final Answer Summary:

| Sentence | Underlined Pronoun | Type |
|----------|---------------------|------------|
| 1 | ourselves | Reflexive |
| 2 | themselves | Intensive |
| 3 | yourself | Intensive |
| 4 | myself | Intensive |
| 5 | herself | Reflexive |
| 6 | yourselves | Intensive |
| 7 | himself | Intensive |
| 8 | themselves | Reflexive |
| 9 | myself | Reflexive |
| 10 | itself | Intensive |

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