LoginThemselves
'Themselves' is a reflexive pronoun that refers to 'they.' In this part, we will go through its uses and grammatical rules in English grammar.
Themselves is a word most commonly used as a reflexive pronoun. In this lesson, we will discuss its uses.
Functions of 'Themselves'
1. 'Themselves' as a Reflexive Pronoun
Themselves as a reflexive pronoun is used when the subject and the object both refer to the third-person plural subject 'they.' Themselves can be the direct object, the indirect object, or the object of a preposition. Themselves can also be a subject complement. Here are its uses and some examples:
1.1 'Themselves' as a Direct Object
Use
Themselves as a direct object receives the action of the verb. For example:
They call
'Themselves' is the direct object.
Annie and Rose loved
Position in a Sentence
Themselves as a direct object is positioned after the verb. For example:
They love
'Themselves' is after 'love.'
1.2 'Themselves' as an Indirect Object
Use
Themselves as an indirect object is used to show who receives the direct object. For example:
They gave
'Some rest' is the direct object and 'themselves' is the indirect object.
Rose and Annie bought
'Themselves' is the indirect object.
Position in a Sentence
Themselves as the indirect object is usually used before a direct object. For example:
They gave
'Themselves' is used before the direct object 'some rest.'
1.3 'Themselves' as the Object of a Preposition
Use
Themselves as an object of the preposition is introduced by a preposition. For example:
We can't let them deal with the issue all by
'By' is a preposition.
They gave some homework to
Position in a Sentence
Themselves as an object of the preposition comes after a preposition. For example:
We can't let them deal with the issue all by
They gave some homework to
1.4 'Themselves' as a Subject Complement
Use
Themselves can be a subject complement if it is used after the linking verbs. For example:
They don't feel like
'Feel' is a linking verb.
If they become
'Become' is a linking verb.
Position in a Sentence
Themselves as a subject complement is used after the linking verbs. For example:
They don't feel like
'Feel' as a linking verb precedes 'themselves.'
2. 'Themselves' as an Emphatic Pronoun
Use
Themselves as an emphatic pronoun emphasizes the doer of the action and can be omitted without any changes to the meaning of the sentence. For example:
The twins
'Themselves' put an emphasis on 'they.'
The pack of wolves found food
Position in a Sentence
Themselves as an emphatic pronoun is positioned either at the end of the sentence or after the subject. For example:
The twins
'Themselves' is after the subject pronoun.
The pack of wolves found food
'Themselves' is at the end of the sentence.
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