Reflexive Pronouns

What are Reflexive Pronouns?

You will see your reflection when you look at yourself in the mirror. Reflexive Pronouns are inspired by that idea.

When 

"You smile at yourself in the mirror." 

the pronoun "yourself" here becomes Reflexive because it reflects yourself. You are the subject (the performer of the action 'smile' and at the same time the object (the receiver of that action). 

This defines Reflexive Pronouns. They are the pronouns used when the subject of a sentence is also the object of the sentence's verb.

Reflexive pronouns are formed by adding “-self” (singular) or “-selves” (plural) to the end of my, your, our, him, her, it, or them (as well as the indefinite pronoun one).

example:

"He saw himself in the picture."

'He' and 'himself' are pronouns. 

He is the subject because he is the one the sentence is talking about and is the doer of the action word. 

'Himself' is the direct object of the verb because he receives the action. He 'himself'  is the one being acted upon.

Since "he" is the subject and at the same time the object of the sentence, the pronoun 'himself' is Reflexive.

Another example:

"I can see myself in a pool."

"Myself" is used because it is just "me" that I am talking about, and it is just me that I imagine in a pool. "I" am the subject (the performer of the action word), and I "myself" is also the object (the receiver of my own action). Therefore, the pronoun "myself" is Reflexive.

Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject (doer of the action word) is the same person receiving the action (object).

There are two indications that a pronoun is Reflexive.

1. Its form

There should be "-self" (singular) or "-selves" (plural) added to the end of my, your, our, him, her, it, or them (as well as the indefinite pronoun one).

2. The subject and the object involved in the sentence

The subject of the sentence should also be the object or vice versa.

examples:

"He saw himself in the picture."

"I can see myself in the pool."

See each explanation above.

The two indications should be present and evident in the sentence. Otherwise, the pronoun is an Intensive Pronoun.