LoginMyself
'Myself' is a pronoun widely used in speaking. In this lesson, we will learn all about this pronoun.
Myself is a word most commonly known as a reflexive pronoun, but it has another function. In this lesson, we will discuss when and how to use it.
Functions of 'Myself'
- Reflexive Pronoun
- Emphatic Pronoun
1. 'Myself' as a Reflexive Pronoun
The speaker or the writer uses myself to refer to himself or herself as the object of the sentence. Myself as a reflexive pronoun can be the direct object, the indirect object, or the object of a preposition. Myself can also be a subject complement. Here are its uses and some examples:
1.1 'Myself' as a Direct Object
Use
Myself as a reflexive pronoun receives the action of the sentence. For example:
I am teaching myself English.
Myself receives the action of 'teaching.'
I love
Position in a Sentence
Myself as a direct object comes right after the verb. For example:
I am teaching
Myself is placed directly after the verb.
1.2 'Myself' as an Indirect Object
Use
Myself as an indirect object is used to show what or who is the recipient of the direct object, so a direct object is needed in a sentence that has an indirect object. For example:
I am making myself a pizza.
'Pizza' is the direct object and 'myself' is the indirect object and shows 'I' is the recipient of 'a pizza.'
I give
Position in a Sentence
The indirect object usually comes before a direct object. For example:
I am making
Myself comes before 'a pizza.'
1.3 'Myself' as the Object of a Preposition
Use
Myself as an object of the preposition means that myself is an object introduced by a preposition. For example:
I often talk to
Myself is the object of 'to.'
No one was home, so I cleaned the house by
Position in a Sentence
Myself as an object of the preposition comes after a preposition. For example:
I often talk to
Myself comes after 'to.'
I had to write the essay all by
However, myself is sometimes used as an alternative to 'me' in a formal and polite context. Remember that it is not standard. Have a look:
You should call either Peter or
The sentence could be 'you should call either Peter or me.'
1.4 'Myself' as a Subject Complement
Use
Myself can be a subject of complement after the linking verbs. The subject complement adds the needed information to the subject. For example:
I booked a therapy session since I haven't been feeling myself lately.
Myself is the subject complement. The expression 'feel myself' means 'feel good.'
He insisted that I wasn't
Position in a Sentence
Myself as a subject of complement is used after linking verbs. For example:
I booked a therapy session since I haven't been feeling
'Feel' is a linking verb.
2. 'Myself' as an Emphatic Pronoun
Use
Myself can also be used as an emphatic pronoun. Emphatic pronouns emphasize the doer of the action and once erased from a sentence, the meaning is not affected. For example:
I heard him lie
As the boss of this company, I delivered the letter
I
Position in a Sentence
Myself as an emphatic pronoun comes either at the end of the sentence, before or after the main verb. For example:
I heard him lie
'Myself' at the end of the sentence
I
'Myself' before the main verb
I cut
'Myself' after the main verb
Comments
(0)Recommended
Their
Each Other
One Another
Yourself
Himself
Herself
