The Confusing World of Reflexive Pronouns
By Judy Vorfeld
Have you ever wondered if you should say, “Jason and myself…” or “Myself and Jason…” or “Jason and I…” or “Me and Jason…” or “Jason and me…? Wonder no more. We have the answers.
“Myself” is a reflexive pronoun, a personal pronoun that relates (think “reflect”) the action of the verb back to the subject. Examples: I drove the car myself. (I-myself.) He drove by himself (he-himself). They went by themselves (they-themselves).
CLUE: When using “myself,” make sure there is an “I” earlier in the sentence.
Example 1.
INCORRECT: Nancy will travel with Todd and myself.
EXPLANATION: Let’s remove “Todd and” from the sentence. Nancy will not travel with myself. “Myself” must be a reflection of “I,” and there’s no “I” in the sentence.
CORRECT: Nancy will travel with Todd and me.
Example 2.
INCORRECT: Mother and myself will go to the store.
EXPLANATION: Let’s remove “Mother and.” Would you say, “Myself will go to the store”?
CORRECT: Mother and I will go to the store.
Reflexive pronouns like “myself” can’t be the subject of a sentence. They’re generally used to emphasize something. “I’ll do it” isn’t as strong as “I’ll do it myself.” Sometimes reflexive pronouns are called “self“ish pronouns.
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