Intensive Pronoun

Definition of Intensive Pronoun

Intensive pronouns also known as emphatic pronoun are pronouns that emphasise another noun or a pronoun in a sentence. Words that end with ‘-self’ or ‘-selves ’ can be reflexive or intensive, depending upon the context and usage.

For example, read the following two sentences:

→ A: Lucy herself opened the door.
→ B: Lucy closed the door behind herself.

In the sentence A, the word ‘herself’ is an emphatic/ intensive pronoun whereas in sentence B, the word ‘herself’ is a reflexive pronoun.

The following pronouns can either be emphatic or reflexive, depending upon their usage

→ myself
→ herself
→ himself
→ yourself
→ ourselves
→ itself
→ themselves
→ yourselves
→ oneself

Types of Intensive Pronouns

1. Singular Intensive Pronoun

1. When we refer to one person we use singular intensive pronoun.
2. Examples of singular intensive pronouns are myself, herself, himself, yourself, itself and oneself.
3. Singular intensive pronouns used in a sentence: He himself cleaned the room.

2. Plural Intensive Pronoun

1. When we refer to more than one person we use plural intensive pronoun.
2. Examples of intensive pronouns are ourselves, themselves and yourselves.
3. Plural intensive pronouns used in a sentence: They themselves painted the room.

How Intensive Pronouns are Used in Sentences?

There are two ways to use intensive pronouns in a sentence. These are:

1. Intensive Pronouns Used After a Noun or a Pronoun

1. In a sentence, we cannot use only intensive pronouns. We have to use it with a noun or a pronoun.
2. For example, ‘Myself have never been on a helicopter.’ is an incorrect sentence because intensive pronoun cannot be a subject in a sentence. The correct sentence is ‘I myself have never been on a helicopter.’

2. Intensive Pronouns Used at the End of a Sentence

1. Intensive pronouns are also added at the end of a sentence. The antecedent noun or pronoun should be clear.
2. For example, ‘Why don’t you ask herself?’ is an incorrect sentence because the antecedent noun or a pronoun before ‘herself’ is not mentioned. The correct sentence will be ‘Why don’t you ask the lady herself?’

Intensive Pronouns Vs Reflexive Pronouns

Click Here to Read About: Personal Pronoun

How to Identify If the given Pronoun is Reflexive or Emphatic?

One of the major differences between reflexive and intensive pronoun is that if we remove an intensive pronoun, the meaning of the sentence will not change. On the other hand, if we remove a reflexive pronoun then the meaning of the sentence will completely change.

Uses of Intensive Pronouns

1. The main purpose of intensive pronoun is to emphasise on a noun or a pronoun in a sentence. For example, I will do it myself. ‘Myself’ is used to emphasise the pronoun ‘I’.
2. If a sentence contains several nouns or pronouns, intensive pronouns help to clarify the subject and the object of a sentence. For example, She herself told me the truth. In this sentence ‘herself’ removes any confusion about who told the truth.
3. Intensive pronoun indicate that the subject is referring to themselves. For example, ‘You yourself can do it.’ In this sentence, ‘yourself’ emphasises that ‘you’ have the ability to do it.

Common Mistakes with Intensive Pronouns

1. Some students use intensive pronoun as a subject of a sentence. For example, ‘Yourself can make the decision.’ is an incorrect sentence because ‘yourself’ is used as the subject. Therefore the correct sentence is ‘You yourself can make the decision.’
2. Students often get confused with reflexive and intensive pronouns. It is important to remember that when the subject and the object of a sentence are the same we use reflexive pronouns.

Uses of Intensive Pronouns in Sentences

→ I myself cannot believe it.
→ Michael himself organised his wardrobe.
→ She herself likes to have a dessert after dinner.
→ The students challenged themselves to work hard on their projects.
→ We ourselves can do it.

FAQs

1. What is an intensive pronoun?

Answer: Pronouns that emphasise on another noun or a pronoun are called intensive pronouns. For example, The house itself is quite new.

2. How are intensive pronouns different from reflexive pronouns?

Answer: The meaning of the sentence won't change if we remove an intensive pronoun, which is one of the key differences between reflexive and intensive pronouns. On the other hand, removing a reflexive pronoun will radically alter the meaning of the statement.

3. What are the types of intensive pronouns with examples?

Answer: There are two types of intensive pronouns. These are:

1. Singular intensive pronouns: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself and oneself.
2. Plural intensive pronouns: yourselves, themselves and ourselves.