Intensive Pronouns
An intensive pronoun emphasizes the noun or pronoun it refers to: “I baked the bread myself.” Because it is emphatic rather than required as a reflexive object, removing it usually leaves the sentence’s core grammar intact.
Intensive (emphatic) pronouns use the same forms as reflexive pronouns—myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves—but add emphasis instead of functioning as a reflexive object.
Key details
Further guidance
Core Rule
Use an intensive pronoun to emphasize the identity of the subject or another noun phrase, not because the verb requires a reflexive object.
Diagnostic
If removing “myself/herself/themselves” leaves the core clause grammatically complete, the pronoun is often intensive rather than reflexive.
Practical Application
Use an intensive/emphatic pronoun to add emphasis to a noun phrase, not because the verb requires a reflexive object. A practical test is removal: if deleting “myself,” “herself,” or another -self form leaves the core clause grammatical and preserves the basic event, the use is likely intensive.
Reader Check
If the -self pronoun is removed, does the core sentence remain grammatically complete with the same basic participants?
Terminology
Many grammar references use “emphatic pronoun” for the same function commonly called an “intensive pronoun.”
Worked Example
In “I prepared the report myself,” “myself” emphasizes who did the work; “I prepared the report” remains complete. In “I cut myself,” removing “myself” changes the verb’s object structure, so that use is reflexive instead.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Reflexive pronouns — LearnEnglish (opens in a new tab)British Council · Grammar-reference evidence that reflexive forms can also be used emphatically/intensively, as in “I baked the bread myself.”