Reflexive Pronouns Exercises With Answers: 100 Questions

Reflexive pronouns exercises are an excellent way to improve English grammar, especially when you want to describe actions that people perform on themselves.

Have you ever wondered why we say “She taught herself English” instead of “She taught her English”? The difference may look small, but it can completely change the meaning.

Whether you are preparing for school examinations, improving workplace communication, or learning English as a second language, understanding reflexive pronouns can help you write and speak more accurately.

This guide explains the rules, provides everyday examples, highlights common mistakes, and includes 100 reflexive pronouns exercises with answers for independent practice.

What Are Reflexive Pronouns in English Grammar?

A reflexive pronoun is a pronoun that refers back to the subject of a sentence.

It is generally used when the subject and the object of a verb refer to the same person or thing.

For example:

• I taught myself to cook.
• She introduced herself to the class.
• The children enjoyed themselves at the party.
• The cat cleaned itself.
• We prepared ourselves for the examination.

In these examples, the reflexive pronouns show that the actions refer back to the subjects.

List of Reflexive Pronouns

English has eight standard reflexive pronouns.

Important: Yourself refers to one person, while yourselves refers to more than one person.

The form themself also appears with singular they in some modern usage. However, themselves remains the more widely accepted choice in formal and educational English.

How to Use Reflexive Pronouns Correctly

Rule 1: When the Subject and Object Are the Same

Use a reflexive pronoun when the person or thing performing an action is also receiving that action.

Correct: He blamed himself for the mistake.

Incorrect: He blamed him for the mistake, if both pronouns refer to the same person.

The second sentence is grammatically possible, but him normally refers to another male person.

Rule 2: To Emphasize Who Performed an Action

Reflexive pronouns can emphasize that someone performed an action personally.

Examples:

• I completed the assignment myself.
• The principal herself announced the results.
• We ourselves organized the event.
• The manager himself checked the documents.

In these sentences, the pronouns are used for emphasis rather than as necessary objects.

Rule 3: After Certain Verbs and Expressions

Some verbs and expressions commonly appear with reflexive pronouns.

Examples:

• Please help yourself to some water.
• She prides herself on her honesty.
• They enjoyed themselves during the holiday.
• He introduced himself to the interviewer.
• We prepared ourselves for the challenge.

Not every verb describing a personal activity requires a reflexive pronoun.

For example, “She washed her hands” is natural English. We do not normally need to say “She washed herself” unless we mean that she washed her own body.

Rule 4: After Prepositions When Referring Back to the Subject

A reflexive pronoun is often used after a preposition when it refers to the subject.

Examples:

• She was talking to herself.
• He bought a gift for himself.
• I was disappointed in myself.
• They kept the information to themselves.

However, some expressions follow different patterns.

For example, “She took her bag with her” is generally more natural than “She took her bag with herself.”

Rule 5: Do Not Use Reflexive Pronouns as Ordinary Subject Pronouns

Incorrect: Myself will attend the meeting.

Correct: I will attend the meeting.

Incorrect: John and myself completed the project.

Correct: John and I completed the project.

Reflexive pronouns generally cannot replace ordinary subject pronouns.

Reflexive Pronouns vs Intensive Pronouns

The same words can function as reflexive pronouns or intensive pronouns.

The difference depends on their role in the sentence.

Easy trick: If removing the pronoun makes the sentence incomplete or changes who receives the action, it is probably reflexive.

If removing it leaves the basic meaning intact but removes emphasis, it is intensive.

100 Reflexive Pronouns Exercises With Answers

These exercises progress from simple identification to sentence correction and practical usage.

Try answering each question before checking the answer key.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks (Questions 1 to 25)

Choose the correct reflexive pronoun.

1. I completed the homework by ______.
2. She introduced ______ to the new teacher.
3. He injured ______ during football practice.
4. We enjoyed ______ at the picnic.
5. The children prepared ______ for the competition.
6. You should believe in ______.
7. The cat cleaned ______ after eating.
8. My brother taught ______ to swim.
9. They decorated the classroom ______.
10. I looked at ______ in the mirror.
11. The students organized the event ______.
12. She bought ______ a beautiful notebook.
13. We reminded ______ about the deadline.
14. He blamed ______ for the delay.
15. You and your classmates should prepare ______.
16. The machine switches ______ off automatically.
17. I challenged ______ to learn twenty new words.
18. They introduced ______ to the visitors.
19. She congratulated ______ on completing the task.
20. We found ______ in a difficult situation.
21. The boy dressed ______ before school.
22. You must take care of ______.
23. The birds protected ______ from the cold.
24. He taught ______ how to play chess.
25. I promised ______ that I would study regularly.

Exercise 2: Multiple-Choice Questions (26 to 50)

Choose the correct answer.

26. Sarah made the cake all by ______.

A. himself
B. herself
C. themselves
D. myself

27. We should prepare ______ for the examination.

A. ourselves
B. themselves
C. himself
D. itself

28. The dog scratched ______.

A. herself
B. yourself
C. itself
D. ourselves

29. I introduced ______ to the audience.

A. myself
B. himself
C. herself
D. yourselves

30. The players congratulated ______ after the victory.

A. himself
B. themselves
C. itself
D. yourself

31. You should not blame ______ for everything.

A. myself
B. itself
C. yourself
D. ourselves

32. My father repaired the bicycle ______.

A. himself
B. herself
C. themselves
D. itself

33. The children amused ______ with games.

A. ourselves
B. yourselves
C. themselves
D. himself

34. She taught ______ French.

A. itself
B. herself
C. himself
D. ourselves

35. My sister and I prepared ______ for the interview.

A. myself
B. themselves
C. ourselves
D. herself

36. The robot can recharge ______.

A. themselves
B. himself
C. itself
D. yourself

37. Did you two enjoy ______ at the concert?

A. yourself
B. yourselves
C. themselves
D. ourselves

38. The teacher ______ explained the difficult lesson.

A. themselves
B. herself
C. itself
D. yourself

39. I accidentally cut ______ while preparing vegetables.

A. myself
B. yourself
C. himself
D. themselves

40. The students expressed ______ clearly.

A. itself
B. himself
C. themselves
D. myself

41. He considers ______ responsible for the decision.

A. herself
B. himself
C. itself
D. ourselves

42. We should ask ______ whether this is necessary.

A. ourselves
B. yourself
C. himself
D. itself

43. The actress ______ accepted the award.

A. himself
B. herself
C. themselves
D. ourselves

44. They built the small garden ______.

A. themselves
B. herself
C. myself
D. itself

45. The computer restarted ______.

A. himself
B. herself
C. itself
D. yourselves

46. You must introduce ______ before beginning your speech.

A. myself
B. himself
C. yourself
D. themselves

47. The boys taught ______ to play the guitar.

A. himself
B. themselves
C. itself
D. ourselves

48. She looked at ______ in the photograph.

A. herself
B. himself
C. ourselves
D. themselves

49. We managed the project ______.

A. itself
B. ourselves
C. yourself
D. himself

50. I made this decision ______.

A. herself
B. himself
C. myself
D. themselves

Exercise 3: Correct the Errors (51 to 75)

Each sentence contains an incorrect pronoun or pronoun construction. Rewrite it correctly.

51. Myself completed the assignment.
52. She taught himself to sing.
53. They enjoyed ourselves at the festival.
54. He introduced herself to the guests.
55. We prepared themselves for the journey.
56. The cat cleaned himself.
57. You should trust myself.
58. I blamed yourself for the error.
59. The students organized the exhibition ourselves.
60. My mother herselfs prepared the meal.
61. He and myself attended the meeting.
62. The children enjoyed itself at the park.
63. She bought himself a new dress.
64. We congratulated themselves on the achievement.
65. The machine repaired themselves automatically.
66. You two should introduce yourself to the class.
67. I taught herself how to paint.
68. The boys prepared himself for the match.
69. My sister completed the project himself.
70. The dog protected themselves from the rain.
71. She looked at himself in the mirror.
72. We should believe in themselves.
73. The teacher himself explained the lesson. (The teacher is a woman.)
74. I and himself completed the task.
75. They blamed ourselves for the misunderstanding.

Exercise 4: Complete the Sentences (76 to 90)

Use the appropriate reflexive pronoun.

76. I prepared ______ for the presentation.
77. She looked after ______ during the holiday.
78. The workers protected ______ from the rain.
79. He found ______ in an unfamiliar city.
80. We taught ______ basic computer programming.
81. The puppy amused ______ with a toy.
82. You should give ______ enough time to learn.
83. The girls introduced ______ to the coach.
84. My uncle built the bookshelf ______.
85. I reminded ______ to submit the form.
86. The team members organized ______ into groups.
87. She expressed ______ confidently during the interview.
88. We enjoyed ______ during the school trip.
89. You and your friends should behave ______.
90. The bird cleaned ______ with its beak.

Exercise 5: Choose the Correct Sentence (91 to 100)

91. A. I myself wrote the letter.
B. Myself wrote the letter.

92. A. She introduced himself to the class.
B. She introduced herself to the class.

93. A. They enjoyed themselves at the party.
B. They enjoyed ourselves at the party.

94. A. We prepared ourselves for the examination.
B. We prepared themselves for the examination.

95. A. The cat cleaned itself.
B. The cat cleaned themselves. (The cat is referred to as it.)

96. A. John and myself went shopping.
B. John and I went shopping.

97. A. You two should help yourselves.
B. You two should help yourself.

98. A. He blamed herself for the mistake.
B. He blamed himself for the mistake.

99. A. The students themselves completed the project.
B. The students itself completed the project.

100. A. She herself explained the rules.
B. Herself explained the rules.

Answers to All 100 Reflexive Pronouns Exercises

Questions 1 to 25

1.

myself

2.

herself

3.

himself

4.

ourselves

5.

themselves

6.

yourself

7.

itself

8.

himself

9.

themselves

10.

myself

11.

themselves

12.

herself

13.

ourselves

14.

himself

15.

yourselves

16.

itself

17.

myself

18.

themselves

19.

herself

20.

ourselves

21.

himself

22.

yourself

23.

themselves

24.

himself

25.

myself

Questions 26 to 50

26.

B

27.

A

28.

C

29.

A

30.

B

31.

C

32.

A

33.

C

34.

B

35.

C

36.

C

37.

B

38.

B

39.

A

40.

C

41.

B

42.

A

43.

B

44.

A

45.

C

46.

C

47.

B

48.

A

49.

B

50.

C

Questions 51 to 75

51.

I completed the assignment.

52.

She taught herself to sing.

53.

They enjoyed themselves at the festival.

54.

He introduced himself to the guests.

55.

We prepared ourselves for the journey.

56.

The cat cleaned itself.

57.

You should trust yourself.

58.

I blamed myself for the error.

59.

The students organized the exhibition themselves.

60.

My mother herself prepared the meal.

61.

He and I attended the meeting.

62.

The children enjoyed themselves at the park.

63.

She bought herself a new dress.

64.

We congratulated ourselves on the achievement.

65.

The machine repaired itself automatically.

66.

You two should introduce yourselves to the class.

67.

I taught myself how to paint.

68.

The boys prepared themselves for the match.

69.

My sister completed the project herself.

70.

The dog protected itself from the rain.

71.

She looked at herself in the mirror.

72.

We should believe in ourselves.

73.

The teacher herself explained the lesson.

74.

He and I completed the task.

75.

They blamed themselves for the misunderstanding.

Questions 76 to 100

76.

myself

77.

herself

78.

themselves

79.

himself

80.

ourselves

81.

itself

82.

yourself

83.

themselves

84.

himself

85.

myself

86.

themselves

87.

herself

88.

ourselves

89.

yourselves

90.

itself

91.

A

92.

B

93.

A

94.

A

95.

A

96.

B

97.

A

98.

B

99.

A

100.

A

Common Mistakes With Reflexive Pronouns

Mistake 1: Using Myself Instead of I or Me

Incorrect: Myself and my friend attended the seminar.

Correct: My friend and I attended the seminar.

Incorrect: Please contact myself.

Correct: Please contact me.

Mistake 2: Confusing Yourself and Yourselves

Incorrect: You two should prepare yourself.

Correct: You two should prepare yourselves.

Mistake 3: Using a Reflexive Pronoun Unnecessarily

Incorrect: She herself is a doctor, when no emphasis is intended.

Better: She is a doctor.

The first sentence is not grammatically incorrect. It simply adds emphasis that may be unnecessary.

Mistake 4: Confusing Each Other and Themselves

Compare:

• The two friends looked at each other.
• The two friends looked at themselves in the mirror.

The first sentence describes a reciprocal action. The second describes an action directed back at each individual.

Reflexive Pronouns in Daily English

Reflexive pronouns are common in everyday conversation.

Examples:

• I made breakfast myself.
• Please make yourself comfortable.
• She taught herself to drive.
• We enjoyed ourselves at the celebration.
• He reminded himself to call his parents.

These expressions help make the meaning clear without repeating the subject’s name.

Reflexive Pronouns in Academic Writing

Academic writing sometimes uses reflexive pronouns when describing participants, researchers, or individuals.

Examples:

• The participants evaluated themselves using a questionnaire.
• Students assessed themselves after completing the activity.
• The researcher herself reviewed the findings.
• The candidates prepared themselves for the assessment.

In formal writing, reflexive pronouns should be used when they clarify meaning or provide necessary emphasis.

Reflexive Pronouns in Business Communication

Professional communication often uses reflexive pronouns to describe responsibility, preparation, and independent work.

Examples:

• The manager himself approved the proposal.
• We prepared ourselves for the client meeting.
• The employees introduced themselves during orientation.
• The team members organized themselves into smaller groups.

Avoid using myself as a formal-sounding substitute for I or me.

For example:

Incorrect: Please send the report to myself.

Correct: Please send the report to me.

Reflexive Pronouns in Email Writing

Reflexive pronouns can appear naturally in professional and personal emails.

Example 1:

Subject: Project Completion

I completed the initial review myself and attached the revised document for your reference.

Example 2:

Subject: Team Introduction

The new team members will introduce themselves during tomorrow’s meeting.

Example 3:

Subject: Training Preparation

We have prepared ourselves for the upcoming training session.

Use reflexive pronouns only where they are grammatically necessary or add meaningful emphasis.

Easy Tips to Remember Reflexive Pronouns

1. Most reflexive pronouns end in -self or -selves.
2. Use -self for singular references and -selves for plural references, while remembering that singular they can take themselves.
3. Match the pronoun with the subject.
4. Use reflexive pronouns when an action refers back to the subject.
5. Use intensive pronouns when you want to emphasize who performed an action.
6. Do not replace ordinary subject pronouns with reflexive pronouns.

Quick Reflexive Pronouns Quiz

5-question knowledge check

1. Which sentence is correct?

• Options:
  • Myself finished the work.
  • I finished the work myself.
  • I finished the work himself.
• Correct Answer: I finished the work myself.

2. Complete: She introduced ___ to the class.

• Options: himself / herself / themselves
• Correct Answer: herself

3. Complete: We enjoyed ___ at the picnic.

• Options: ourselves / yourselves / themselves
• Correct Answer: ourselves

4. Complete: You two should prepare ___ for the interview.

• Options: yourself / ourselves / yourselves
• Correct Answer: yourselves

5. Which sentence uses an intensive pronoun?

• Options:
  • He hurt himself.
  • He himself wrote the report.
  • He blamed himself.
• Correct Answer: He himself wrote the report.

Frequently Asked Questions About Reflexive Pronouns

1. What are the eight reflexive pronouns?

The eight standard reflexive pronouns are myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves.

2. What is the difference between myself and me?

Me is an ordinary object pronoun, while myself refers back to the subject I or adds emphasis.

For example:

• She called me.
• I introduced myself.

3. Can reflexive pronouns be used for emphasis?

Yes. In sentences such as “The director himself attended the meeting,” the pronoun emphasizes the person performing the action.

This is called intensive use.

4. Is it correct to say “John and myself”?

Not when myself simply replaces I or me.

Correct: John and I attended the meeting.

Correct: The teacher spoke to John and me.

5. How can students improve their reflexive pronouns?

Students can improve by learning the eight standard forms, matching them with their subjects, practicing sentence corrections, and completing reflexive pronouns exercises regularly.

Conclusion

Reflexive pronouns are a small but important part of English grammar. They help us explain when someone performs an action on themselves and when we want to emphasize the person responsible for an action.

The most important rule is simple: Choose a reflexive pronoun that correctly refers back to its subject.

By completing these 100 reflexive pronouns exercises with answers, students, ESL learners, and professionals can strengthen their understanding and avoid common mistakes.

Keep practicing. English grammar becomes easier when the rules begin to feel natural.

Save this guide, complete the exercises, and explore more English grammar lessons to improve your writing and communication.

Educational disclaimer: This article provides general English grammar guidance. Certain pronoun choices and expressions may vary by dialect, context, and style guide.

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Second vs Third Conditional: Rules, Examples and Quiz

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