Grammar

Pronouns
Reflexive pronouns

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"When is the word myself used?"

The word myself is known as a reflexive pronoun. Firstly, when should we not use the word?
Myself should not be used as a substitute for the personal object pronoun me. This is a common mistake,
as in the following example:

They gave presents to my brother and myself.

The correct form is:

They gave presents to my brother and me.
So, when should you use the word? The golden rule is that you should only use myself if the word I comes
before it in the same sentence. When this is the case, the word is used in the following situations:
Firstly, when the subject and object of the sentence are the same:
I know myself.
I saw myself in the mirror.
Secondly, when you want to emphasise, or call more attention to the subject of the sentence:
I did the job myself. (Nobody helped me).
I ate all the cake myself. (Nobody else ate any).
The use of the other reflexive pronouns yourself, himself, herself, ourselves, yourselves and
themselves in relation to their subject and object pronouns is the same.
For further information, please have a look at the web sites listed below.
www.homeworkhelp.com
http://members.nbci.com/afonichev/murphy/unit0082.html
http://www.chariot.net.au/~michaelc/grammar/reflex.htm

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