Itself
'Itself' is a reflexive pronoun that refers to 'it.' In this part, we will go through its uses and grammatical rules in English grammar.
Itself is a word most commonly used as a reflexive pronoun. In this lesson, we will discuss other functions of 'itself.'
Functions of 'Itself'
1. 'Itself' as a Reflexive Pronoun
Itself as a reflexive pronoun is used when the subject and the object both refer to the third-person neutral subject 'it.' Itself can be the direct object, the indirect object, or the object of a preposition. Itself as a reflexive pronoun can also be a subject complement.
Here are its functions and some examples:
1.1 'Itself' as a Direct Object
Use
Itself as a reflexive pronoun is used to receive the action of the verb, so it acts as a direct object. For example:
His cat licked
Does a flower reproduce
'Itself' is the direct object of the sentence.
Position in a Sentence
Itself as a direct object is placed after the verb. For example:
His cat licked
1.2 'Itself' as an Indirect Object
Use
Itself as an indirect object is used to show who receives the direct object. For example:
The flower gives
The rabbit makes
'A nest' is the direct object and 'itself' is the indirect object and shows that 'the rabbit' is the recipient of 'a nest.'
Position in a Sentence
The indirect object is usually used before a direct object. For example:
The flower gives
The rabbit makes
'A nest' is the direct object and 'itself' the indirect object.
1.3 'Itself' as the Object of a Preposition
Use
Itself as the object of a preposition is introduced by a preposition. For example:
Is that chair moving all by
The cat throws a ball to
Position in a Sentence
Itself as the object of a preposition comes after a preposition. For example:
Is that chair moving all by
1.4 'Itself' as a Subject Complement
Use
Itself can be a subject complement if it is used after the linking verbs. The subject complement completes the subject and the meaning of the sentence. For example:
The cat isn't feeling
The dog becomes
Position in a Sentence
Itself as a subject complement is used after the linking verbs. For example:
The cat isn't feeling
'Feel' is a linking verb.
2. 'Itself' as an Emphatic Pronoun
Use
Itself can also be used as an emphatic pronoun. Emphatic pronouns emphasize the doer of the action. Since its function is to emphasize the subject, it can be left out. For example:
The dog
The dog opened the door
Position in a Sentence
Itself as an emphatic pronoun comes either at the end of the sentence or after the subject. For example:
The dog
The dog opened the door
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