Emphatic Pronouns
'Emphatic pronouns' are used to refer to a noun or a pronoun mentioned earlier. So they give more detailed information.
What Are Emphatic Pronouns?
The emphatic pronouns (also called intensive pronouns) are the same as reflexive pronouns but they are used in a different way. Their function is similar to that of an adverb.
English Emphatic Pronouns
Emphatic pronouns | |
---|---|
first-person singular | myself |
second-person singular | yourself |
third-person singular (F) | herself |
third-person singular (M) | himself |
third-person singular (N) | itself |
first-person plural | ourselves |
second-person plural | yourselves |
third-person plural | themselves |
Differences between Emphatic and Reflexive Pronouns
Difference #1
Reflexive pronouns show that the action of the subject reflects upon the doer. However, an emphatic pronoun simply emphasizes the doer of the action.
Mike cut
Here, the subject (Mike) and object (himself) refer to the same person.
Mike
Here, the emphatic pronoun 'himself' just emphasizes the subject 'he'.
Difference #2
We can remove an emphatic pronoun from the sentence and the whole meaning would not be compromised. On the other hand, a reflexive pronoun cannot be omitted from the sentence. If we leave out the reflexive pronoun, the sentence would not make complete sense.
Mike cut while shaving this morning.
Without the reflexive pronoun 'himself', the sentence would not make sense.
Mike cut the carrots into thin strips.
Without the emphatic pronoun 'himself', the sentence still makes perfect sense.
How to Use Them?
The emphatic pronouns normally come after the pronoun or noun to emphasize. We do not use these as the subject or the object of a verb.
Sarah called the principal
Here, the emphatic pronoun 'herself' puts emphasis that 'she' made the call.
Prince William
In this example, 'Prince William' is the emphasized noun. We call it the antecedent of the emphatic pronoun.
Review
Now that you followed our article you know that reflexive pronouns are the same as emphatic pronouns, but they are used in different situations.
reflexive pronouns | intensive pronouns |
---|---|
they need reflexive verbs | they do not need reflexive verbs |
they are essential to complete the meanings | they are not essential to have a meaningful sentence |
they reflect back the action upon the subject | they emphasize on the subject |
they are used after the verb | They are not used after the verb |