Understanding Intensive Pronouns: A Comprehensive Guide

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 20 June 2023 7 min read

Have you ever come across a sentence that seemed to give extra emphasis to the subject? Chances are, you've encountered an intensive pronoun. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore intensive pronouns, their usage, and how to avoid common mistakes. By the end of this blog, you'll have a clear understanding of intensive pronouns and be able to use them correctly in your writing.

What Are Intensive Pronouns?

Intensive pronouns are words that give emphasis to the subject of a sentence. They're used to emphasize the importance of the subject or to make the sentence stronger. Let's break down the different aspects of intensive pronouns to get a better understanding.

Reflexive vs. Intensive Pronouns

Intensive pronouns are often confused with reflexive pronouns, as they look the same. However, their functions are different. While reflexive pronouns indicate that the subject of the sentence is performing an action on itself, intensive pronouns simply emphasize the subject. Here's a quick comparison:

Reflexive pronoun: She treated herself to a spa day.
Intensive pronoun: She herself treated everyone to lunch.

Notice that in the first example, the subject (she) is performing an action on herself, while in the second example, the pronoun (herself) is emphasizing the subject.

Common Intensive Pronouns

Intensive pronouns are formed by adding "-self" or "-selves" to certain personal pronouns. Here is a list of common intensive pronouns:

Myself
Yourself
Himself
Herself
Itself
Ourselves
Yourselves
Themselves

Keep in mind that these pronouns can also be reflexive pronouns, depending on their function in the sentence.

Using Intensive Pronouns Correctly

Now that we know what intensive pronouns are, let's discuss how to use them correctly in sentences. We'll cover the proper placement and explore some examples to make sure you've got a solid grasp on this concept.

Placement in Sentences

Intensive pronouns can typically be found near the subject they are emphasizing. They can appear before or after the verb, but they should always be close to the subject. Here are a few examples:

The teacher herself graded the exams.
They themselves built the treehouse.
The singer himself wrote the lyrics.

Remember, the purpose of an intensive pronoun is to emphasize the subject, so it's important to keep it close to the subject for clarity.

Examples of Intensive Pronouns

Let's take a look at a few more examples to solidify your understanding of intensive pronouns:

The author herself signed my book.
We ourselves painted the entire house.
The cat itself opened the door.

In each of these sentences, the intensive pronoun emphasizes the subject, highlighting its importance or role in the action.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

As with any grammar concept, there are common mistakes that can be made when using intensive pronouns. Let's discuss how to avoid them and clear up any confusion that may arise.

Misuse of Intensive Pronouns

One common mistake is using an intensive pronoun when a reflexive pronoun is needed, or vice versa. To avoid this error, remember that reflexive pronouns indicate the subject performing an action on itself, while intensive pronouns emphasize the subject. Here's a quick reminder:

Reflexive pronoun: She cut herself while chopping vegetables.
Intensive pronoun: She herself chopped all the vegetables.

Another common mistake is placing the intensive pronoun too far from the subject, causing confusion. Always keep the intensive pronoun close to the subject for clarity.

Clearing Up Confusion

If you're ever unsure whether to use an intensive pronoun or a reflexive pronoun, ask yourself whether the pronoun is emphasizing the subject or showing that the action is performed on the subject itself. This should help you make the right choice.

Learning Resources

Now that you have a solid understanding of intensive pronouns, you might be interested in further improving your grammar skills. Here are some resources to help you:

Grammar Books

There are plenty of grammar books available that cover intensive pronouns and other grammar topics. Some popular options include "Understanding and Using English Grammar" by Betty Schrampfer Azar and "The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation" by Jane Straus.

Online Resources

For a more interactive approach, you can find numerous websites and applications that offer grammar lessons, quizzes, and exercises. Some popular options include Grammarly, Khan Academy, and the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL).

English Courses

If you prefer a structured learning environment, consider taking an English course at a local community college or language school. Many institutions offer classes that focus on grammar and writing skills.

Practicing with Exercises

Practice makes perfect, especially when it comes to mastering grammar concepts like intensive pronouns. Here are some resources to help you practice your new skills:

Intensive Pronouns Worksheet

Worksheets are a great way to practice identifying and using intensive pronouns. You can find free printable worksheets online or create your own to test your knowledge.

Online Quizzes

Interactive online quizzes can be a fun way to test your understanding of intensive pronouns. Many websites offer quizzes that provide instant feedback, allowing you to learn from your mistakes and improve your skills.

With a solid understanding of intensive pronouns, you're now ready to use them correctly in your writing. Keep practicing, and soon enough, you'll be a grammar pro!

Avoiding Common Mistakes

As with any grammar concept, there are common mistakes that can be made when using intensive pronouns. Let's discuss how to avoid them and clear up any confusion that may arise.

Misuse of Intensive Pronouns

Reflexive pronoun: She cut herself while chopping vegetables.
Intensive pronoun: She herself chopped all the vegetables.

Another common mistake is placing the intensive pronoun too far from the subject, causing confusion. Always keep the intensive pronoun close to the subject for clarity.

Clearing Up Confusion

Learning Resources

Now that you have a solid understanding of intensive pronouns, you might be interested in further improving your grammar skills. Here are some resources to help you:

Grammar Books

Online Resources

English Courses

Practicing with Exercises

Practice makes perfect, especially when it comes to mastering grammar concepts like intensive pronouns. Here are some resources to help you practice your new skills:

Intensive Pronouns Worksheet

Worksheets are a great way to practice identifying and using intensive pronouns. You can find free printable worksheets online or create your own to test your knowledge.

Online Quizzes

With a solid understanding of intensive pronouns, you're now ready to use them correctly in your writing. Keep practicing, and soon enough, you'll be a grammar pro!

Learning Resources

Now that you have a solid understanding of intensive pronouns, you might be interested in further improving your grammar skills. Here are some resources to help you:

Grammar Books

Online Resources

English Courses

Practicing with Exercises

Practice makes perfect, especially when it comes to mastering grammar concepts like intensive pronouns. Here are some resources to help you practice your new skills:

Intensive Pronouns Worksheet

Worksheets are a great way to practice identifying and using intensive pronouns. You can find free printable worksheets online or create your own to test your knowledge.

Online Quizzes

With a solid understanding of intensive pronouns, you're now ready to use them correctly in your writing. Keep practicing, and soon enough, you'll be a grammar pro!

Practicing with Exercises

As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect. To truly master the use of intensive pronouns, it's important to put your knowledge into practice. Here are some resources and activities to help you refine your skills:

Intensive Pronouns Worksheet

Worksheets are a tried-and-true method to practice identifying and using intensive pronouns. You can find free printable worksheets online or create your own to test your knowledge. Start by underlining the intensive pronouns in sentences and then progress to writing your own sentences that include these pronouns.

Online Quizzes

Interactive online quizzes add an element of fun to the learning process. There are many websites that offer quizzes on intensive pronouns, providing instant feedback and allowing you to learn from your mistakes. Some quizzes might even challenge you with multiple-choice questions or fill-in-the-blank exercises to keep things interesting.

Remember, the more you practice, the more comfortable you will become with using intensive pronouns in your writing. By consistently working on exercises and quizzes, you'll soon find that your grammar skills have improved significantly. So, keep practicing and take pride in your progress as you become a grammar expert!

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