Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 82 · B1

myself/yourself/themselves etc.

Use myself, yourself and the rest when the subject and object are the same person; not after feel, relax, concentrate or meet, and not usually after wash, shave or dress. Themselves and each other mean different things; and myself can add emphasis: I did it myself.

Start the lesson

16Steps · about 28 minutes

In this lesson

Subject and object the sameA2 screens of questions
Not after feel, relax, concentrate, meet; not usually after wash, shave, dressB2 screens of questions
themselves and each otherC2 screens of questions
Emphasis: I did it myselfD2 screens of questions
Put it together+2 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 4

Subject and object the same

Use myself, yourself, himself and so on (reflexive pronouns) when the subject and object are the same person.

Liam introduced himself to the other guests. Liam is the subject and the object.

Singular Plural
myself ourselves
yourself (one person) yourselves (more than one)
himself, herself, itself themselves
  • Put your purse away. I can cover my own ticket. I'll buy it myself. (not I'll buy it me)
  • Asha had a brilliant holiday. She really enjoyed herself.
  • Do you ever talk to yourself?
  • If you want seconds, help yourselves.
  • Rhiannon introduced me to the other guests.
  • We went round the room and introduced ourselves.

Point A · Exercise 82.1 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with myself, yourself and so on, and one of these verbs in the right form: blame, burn, enjoy, express, hurt, introduce, put.

Use these

blameburnenjoyexpresshurtintroduceput

  1. Example

    Liam stood up and introduced himself to everyone in the meeting.

    AnswerLiam stood up and introduced himself to everyone in the meeting.

  2. Callum fell down the stairs, but luckily he didn't .

  3. It isn't Siân's fault. She really shouldn't .

  4. I know it's hard to imagine, but just try to in my shoes.

  5. The kids had a great time at the fair. They really .

Point A · Exercise 82.1 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with myself, yourself and so on, and one of these verbs in the right form: blame, burn, enjoy, express, hurt, introduce, put.

Use these

blameburnenjoyexpresshurtintroduceput

  1. Careful! That pan's hot. Don't .

  2. My Spanish isn't good enough. I can't clearly yet.

Point B of 4

Not after feel, relax, concentrate, meet; not usually after wash, shave, dress

We do not use myself and the rest after feel, relax, concentrate, meet. Normally not after wash, shave, dress either. You can also say get dressed.

  • I feel jittery. I can't relax.
  • Try to relax. (not relax yourself)
  • What time shall we meet?
  • She showered, dressed and left for work. (not dressed herself)
  • He got dressed.

Point B · Exercise 82.3 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with one of these verbs, adding myself, yourself and so on only where necessary: concentrate, defend, dry, enjoy, feel, meet, relax, shave.

Use these

concentratedefenddryenjoyfeelmeetrelaxshave

  1. Example

    Neil got an electric razor because he kept cutting himself while he was shaving.

    AnswerNeil got an electric razor because he kept cutting himself while he was shaving.

  2. Example

    Asha had a brilliant holiday. She enjoyed herself.

    AnswerAsha had a brilliant holiday. She enjoyed herself.

  3. I wasn't well yesterday, but I much better today.

  4. I climbed out of the pool and with a towel.

  5. I tried to revise, but I couldn't .

  6. Everyone is allowed to if they are attacked.

Point B · Exercise 82.3 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with one of these verbs, adding myself, yourself and so on only where necessary: concentrate, defend, dry, enjoy, feel, meet, relax, shave.

Use these

concentratedefenddryenjoyfeelmeetrelaxshave

  1. I'm going out with Chris tonight. We're at half seven.

  2. You're always rushing about. Why don't you sit down and ?

Point C of 4

themselves and each other

Themselves: Kate and Joe each took a selfie. Kate photographed Kate; Joe photographed Joe. They photographed themselves.

Each other: Kate photographed Joe and Joe photographed Kate. They photographed each other.

One another means the same as each other.

  • Kate and Joe looked at themselves in the mirror.
  • Kate and Joe looked at each other.
  • Have you and Leah met each other before?
  • Have you and Leah met one another before?
  • Sue and Alice can't stand each other.
  • Do they live near each other?

Point C · Exercise 82.4 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with ourselves, themselves or each other.

  1. Example

    Have you and Leah met each other before?

    AnswerHave you and Leah met each other before?

  2. If students revise all night, they can wear out.

  3. She helps him and he helps her. They help .

  4. In Britain friends often give presents at Christmas.

  5. Some politicians are only interested in .

Point C · Exercise 82.4 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with ourselves, themselves or each other.

  1. My cousin and I live miles apart, so we rarely see .

  2. We couldn't get back in. We'd locked out.

  3. They've had a row. Now they're not speaking to .

  4. None of us had met before, so we introduced to .

Point D of 4

Emphasis: I did it myself

"Who fixed your bike?" "I fixed it myself." Here myself emphasises I: me, not somebody else.

  • Don't expect me to tidy your room. You can sort it out yourself.
  • Let's paint the kitchen ourselves. It'll be much cheaper.
  • The film itself wasn't great, but the soundtrack was brilliant.
  • I don't think Lucy will get the job. Lucy doesn't think so herself.
  • Lucy herself doesn't think so.

Point D · Exercise 82.5 · part 1 of 2

Complete the answers with myself, yourself and so on, using the verb in brackets.

  1. Example

    "Who mended your bike for you?" "Nobody. I mended it myself." (mend)

    Answer"Who mended your bike for you?" "Nobody. I mended it myself."

  2. I didn't buy this cake. I . (make)

  3. "Who told you Laura was leaving?" "Laura ." (tell)

  4. Ask them where they're going on holiday. I'm not sure they . (decide)

  5. "Who cuts Paul's hair?" "Nobody. He ." (cut)

Point D · Exercise 82.5 · part 2 of 2

Complete the answers with myself, yourself and so on, using the verb in brackets.

  1. "Can you ring Sam for me?" "Why can't you ?" (do)

Put it together · Exercise 82.2 · part 1 of 2

Put in myself, yourself, ourselves and so on, or me, you, us and so on.

  1. Example

    Asha had a brilliant holiday. She enjoyed herself.

    AnswerAsha had a brilliant holiday. She enjoyed herself.

  2. I didn't break it, so don't look at like that.

  3. What I did was awful. I'm ashamed of .

  4. We're lost. Could you possibly direct to the station?

  5. "Can I have another biscuit?" "Course you can. Help !"

Put it together · Exercise 82.2 · part 2 of 2

Put in myself, yourself, ourselves and so on, or me, you, us and so on.

  1. I want you to meet Priya. I'll introduce you to .

  2. Don't worry about us. We can look after .

  3. Don't worry about the kids. I'll look after .

  4. The children are old enough to walk home and let in after school.

Lesson 82 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: a friend of mine my own house on my own / by myselfBack to the course

–Right

Each point

A. Subject and object the same–Not checkedB. Not after feel, relax, concentrate, meet; not usually after wash, shave, dress–Not checkedC. themselves and each other–Not checkedD. Emphasis: I did it myself–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked