Reflexive Verbs in English

Learning English grammar can be a bit like putting together a puzzle. Each piece plays an important role in building the bigger picture. One such piece, often overlooked but crucial to expressing personal actions, is the reflexive verb. 

If you’ve ever said “I hurt myself” or “She taught herself Spanish,” you’ve used a reflexive verb—even if you didn’t realize it. In this blog, we’ll dive deep into reflexive verbs in English: what they are, how they function, how they differ from regular verbs, and how to use them effectively in sentences.

What Are Reflexive Verbs?

Definition and Basic Concept

A reflexive verb is a verb that is used when the subject and the object of a sentence are the same person or thing. In simpler terms, when someone performs an action on themselves, the verb becomes reflexive.

For example:

• I washed myself.
  
• She introduced herself to the new neighbors.
  

In both examples, the person doing the action (the subject) is also receiving the action (the object). Reflexive verbs require reflexive pronouns like myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves to show this relationship.

Comparison with Regular Transitive Verbs

To understand reflexive verbs better, it’s useful to compare them with transitive verbs.

A transitive verb requires a direct object—something or someone who receives the action. For example:

• He washed the car. → (Subject: He, Verb: washed, Object: the car)
  

But in a reflexive construction, the subject and object are the same:

• He washed himself. → (Subject: He, Verb: washed, Object: himself)
  

Notice the difference? With a transitive verb, the action is directed at something else. With a reflexive verb, the action loops back to the subject.

What Do Reflexive Verbs Look Like?

Structure: Subject + Reflexive Pronoun + Verb

Reflexive verbs follow a clear structure:

Subject + Reflexive Pronoun + Verb

However, this structure can also appear as:
Subject + Verb + Reflexive Pronoun — especially in affirmative and declarative sentences.

Here are some examples:

• I taught myself how to play the guitar.
  
• They blamed themselves for the mistake.
  
• You should treat yourself to something nice.
  

In all of these examples, the action is self-directed.

Examples in Sentences

Let’s explore some sentences to see reflexive verbs in action:

• She prepared herself for the interview.
  
• We congratulated ourselves on finishing the project.
  
• The cat cleaned itself.
  
• Did you hurt yourself?
  

You’ll notice that reflexive pronouns always correspond to the subject. This is not just stylistic—it’s essential for grammatical accuracy.

Important: Reflexive Pronouns Must Match the Subject

Reflexive pronouns are not interchangeable. Each subject pronoun has a specific reflexive pronoun:

Using the wrong reflexive pronoun is a grammatical error. For example:

❌ He looked at myself in the mirror.
✅ He looked at himself in the mirror.

Can Any Verb Be Reflexive?

Explanation of Flexibility

Not every verb in English can be reflexive, but many verbs can be used reflexively depending on the context. This flexibility often depends on whether the action can logically be directed back at the subject.

For instance:

• She dressed. (Non-reflexive; general action)
  
• She dressed herself. (Reflexive; emphasizes she did it without help)
  
• He taught English. (Non-reflexive; he teaches others)
  
• He taught himself Spanish. (Reflexive; he is both the teacher and student)
  

Context plays a crucial role. Some verbs make more sense reflexively when you want to highlight independence, personal involvement, or emphasize the subject’s direct experience.

Verbs That Rarely or Never Appear Reflexively

While English allows flexibility, some verbs are not typically used reflexively, mainly because the idea of acting on oneself doesn’t logically apply.

Examples include:

• Arrive → You can’t “arrive yourself.”
  
• Die → You don’t say “He died himself.” (That would imply something different and much darker.)
  
• Belong → You can’t say “The book belongs to itself.”
  

Also, reflexive usage in English is not as common as in some other languages like Spanish, French, or German, where reflexive constructions are more integrated into daily speech.

Common Reflexive Verbs (with Examples)

Let’s explore some of the most commonly used reflexive verbs in English. These are verbs that frequently take reflexive pronouns, especially in spoken or informal contexts.

Here’s a handy list in table format for quick reference:

These verbs are not always reflexive, but when you want to emphasize that the action is being done by and to the same person, reflexive pronouns are necessary.

Bonus Tips for Using Reflexive Verbs

Here are some practical tips to help you use reflexive verbs correctly in your own writing or conversation:

1. Use Reflexive Verbs to Show Independence or Personal Action

• I cleaned the whole house myself! → Emphasizes independence
  
• She fixed the car herself. → Highlights skill or initiative
  

2. Watch for Prepositions

Sometimes, reflexive pronouns come after prepositions:

• He kept it for himself.
  
• I made a cup of tea for myself.
  

In these cases, the reflexive pronoun still refers to the subject but appears after the preposition.

3. Don’t Overuse Reflexive Pronouns

Some learners mistakenly add reflexive pronouns to every verb. Not every action needs one.

❌ I went myself to the shop.
✅ I went to the shop. (No reflexive needed here)

Reflexive pronouns should only be used when the subject performs the action on themselves.

Verbs That Change Meaning When Reflexive

Some verbs in English completely change their meaning when used reflexively. This shift can be subtle or significant, depending on the verb and the context. It’s an area where learners often get confused, but once you understand the pattern, it becomes easier to navigate.

Examples and Meaning Shifts

Let’s explore some common verbs that change when made reflexive:

Contextual Examples

• Help vs. Help Yourself
  
  • Can you help me with this report? (assist)
    
  • Please help yourself to some snacks. (take freely, without asking)
    
• Find vs. Find Yourself
  
  • I can’t find my keys. (locate)
    
  • He found himself in a difficult position. (realized or ended up)
    
• Enjoy vs. Enjoy Yourself
  
  • She enjoys jazz music. (likes something)
    
  • Enjoy yourself at the party! (have a good time personally)
    

These reflexive shifts are often idiomatic and must be learned through exposure and practice, as direct translation doesn’t always capture their meaning.

Reflexive Verbs Without a Direct Object

In many cases, reflexive verbs do not have an explicit object, because the reflexive pronoun itself replaces what would normally be the object. This makes the structure simpler but still implies that the subject is acting upon themselves.

Examples:

• He bathed. (General action)
  
• He bathed himself. (Clarifies the subject did it without help)
  

Even without an object like “in the tub” or “with soap,” we understand the action is self-directed.

More examples:

• She prepared herself. (for something, implied)
  
• They taught themselves. (a skill, subject implied)
  

Here, the reflexive pronoun acts as a placeholder for an object that is either:

• Implied by context, or
  
• Considered unnecessary to repeat
  

This makes English reflexive usage concise and flexible.

Exception! Some Reflexives Appear Redundant But Serve Emphasis

Sometimes, a reflexive pronoun may appear grammatically redundant, but it’s used to add emphasis or create stylistic impact. In such cases, the reflexive isn’t necessary for grammatical correctness, but it serves a rhetorical function.

Examples:

• I did it myself! → emphasizes that no one helped
  
• He painted the house himself. → stresses personal effort
  
• You’ll have to clean up the mess yourself. → adds tone (perhaps frustration or insistence)
  

These are not strictly reflexive verbs by grammatical definition, but they use reflexive pronouns for emphasis or contrast.

Always Reflexive Verbs

While many verbs can be reflexive, only a few in English are always used reflexively when expressing certain ideas. These verbs require a reflexive pronoun to be grammatically correct or to convey the intended meaning.

Common Always-Reflexive Verbs:

These are often formal or literary in nature, and are rarely used in casual conversation. However, they still appear frequently in academic or written English.

Usage Notes:

• These verbs are not grammatically correct without the reflexive pronoun.
  
• Attempting to use them without it results in awkward or incorrect phrasing.
  

❌ He availed of the opportunity.
✅ He availed himself of the opportunity.

Because they form part of a fixed phrase, they should be memorized as chunks.

Key Exceptions and Notes

English is full of exceptions and idiomatic uses, and reflexive verbs are no different. Here are a few important points to remember when navigating reflexive verbs and pronouns.

1. Idiomatic Expressions

Some reflexive usages are purely idiomatic, and their meanings can’t be understood literally:

• Behave yourself! → control your actions
  
• Suit yourself. → do what you want (possibly passive-aggressive)
  
• Make yourself at home. → feel comfortable
  

These are culturally bound and carry specific connotations. Learning them as expressions rather than trying to parse their grammar is usually the best approach.

2. Redundancy and Stylistic Choices

Sometimes, reflexive pronouns are used redundantly or omitted depending on tone and clarity.

Compare:

• He shaved. → acceptable and clear
  
• He shaved himself. → adds clarity or emphasis
  

Both are grammatically correct, but the second may be used:

• In formal writing
  
• For emphasis
  
• To avoid ambiguity
  

Style guides often suggest omitting unnecessary reflexives for conciseness unless clarity requires them.

Summary and Practice Tips

Let’s summarize the key points about reflexive verbs, followed by some practice exercises to reinforce your learning.

Key Takeaways:

• Reflexive verbs occur when the subject and object of a verb are the same.
  
• They use reflexive pronouns (myself, yourself, himself, etc.).
  
• Some verbs change meaning when made reflexive (help vs. help yourself).
  
• Not every verb can be reflexive; some require it, and some never use it.
  
• Reflexive pronouns may also serve to add emphasis or idiomatic nuance.
  

Practice Questions:

Identify whether the reflexive pronoun is necessary, optional, or redundant:

• He introduced himself to the crowd.
  
• I made myself some coffee.
  
• She dressed.
  

2. Rewrite the sentence using a reflexive construction:
   
   • Tom fixed the sink. → ___________
     
   • They didn’t enjoy the movie. → ___________
     
3. Match the sentence to the correct meaning:
   
   • Help yourself to the snacks.
     
   • Find yourself in trouble.
     
   • He prides himself on his punctuality.
     
4. a. Emphasizing personal quality
   b. Take something without asking
   c. End up in a difficult situation
   
5. Correct the errors in reflexive usage:
   
   • He saw myself at the event.
     
   • We blame herself for the mistake.
     

 Answers:

• Necessary
  
• Optional
  
• Optional
  

• Tom fixed the sink himself.
  
• They didn’t enjoy themselves.
  

• Help yourself = b
  
• Find yourself = c
  
• Prides himself = a
  

• He saw himself at the event.
  
• We blame ourselves for the mistake.
  

Final Tip:

The best way to master reflexive verbs is to read widely and practice often. Try keeping a journal where you intentionally use reflexive structures. Over time, you’ll start to internalize which verbs feel natural reflexively and which ones do not.

Mangesh Belekar

Belekar Sir is the founder and lead instructor at Belekar Sir’s Academy, a trusted name in English language education. With over a decade of teaching experience, he has helped thousands of students—from beginners to advanced learners—develop fluency, confidence, and real-world communication skills. Known for his practical teaching style and deep understanding of learner needs, Belekar Sir is passionate about making English accessible and empowering for everyone. When he’s not teaching, he’s creating resources and guides to support learners on their journey to mastering spoken English.