Which Of The Following Sentences Uses Intensive Pronouns Correctly

Which of the Following Sentences Uses Intensive Pronouns Correctly? A Deep Dive into Grammar

Intensive pronouns, also known as emphatic pronouns, add emphasis to a noun or pronoun already present in the sentence. They're not essential to the sentence's grammatical structure, but they significantly boost the impact and clarity. Understanding their correct usage is crucial for effective writing. This article will explore intensive pronouns, providing examples of correct and incorrect usage, and helping you confidently identify and employ them in your own writing.

Understanding Intensive Pronouns

Intensive pronouns are formed by adding "-self" or "-selves" to a personal pronoun. The list includes:

• Myself
• Yourself
• Himself
• Herself
• Ourselves
• Yourselves
• Themselves

Key Distinction: The critical difference between intensive and reflexive pronouns lies in their function. Reflexive pronouns are required for the grammatical correctness of the sentence (e.g., "She hurt herself."). Intensive pronouns, however, are optional; removing them won't alter the sentence's grammatical structure, but it will weaken its emphasis.

Correct Usage of Intensive Pronouns

Intensive pronouns emphasize the subject of the sentence. They highlight the subject's involvement in the action. Let's examine some correctly used examples:

Example 1: "I myself baked the cake."

In this sentence, "myself" emphasizes that the speaker, and no one else, baked the cake. The sentence is grammatically correct without "myself," but the addition reinforces the speaker's personal involvement.

Example 2: "The president himself announced the new policy."

This sentence strongly emphasizes that the president, and not a representative or spokesperson, made the announcement. The use of "himself" adds a significant layer of authority and directness.

Example 3: "They built the house themselves."

Here, "themselves" highlights the fact that the subject (they) completed the task without any external assistance. The emphasis is on their self-reliance and independent effort.

Example 4: "She painted the mural herself."

This sentence clearly states that the subject (she) painted the mural alone, without any help. The use of "herself" underscores her individual achievement.

Incorrect Usage of Intensive Pronouns

Many writers misuse intensive pronouns, leading to grammatical errors and unclear meaning. Common mistakes include:

Error 1: Using an Intensive Pronoun as a Reflexive Pronoun in a Sentence Requiring a Reflexive Pronoun

This is a fundamental error. Remember, intensive pronouns add emphasis; reflexive pronouns are grammatically necessary.

Incorrect: "She cut herself." (This is correct if "herself" is a reflexive pronoun, meaning she inflicted an injury upon herself. However, it is incorrect as an intensive pronoun in this case). Correct: "She cut herself shaving." (Reflexive; essential for meaning) Correct: "She, herself, is the greatest artist alive." (Intensive, adds emphasis)

Error 2: Unnecessary Use of Intensive Pronouns

Overusing intensive pronouns can make your writing sound unnatural and clunky. Only use them when extra emphasis is truly needed.

Incorrect: "We ourselves went to the store." (The sentence functions perfectly without "ourselves.") Correct: "We went to the store."

Incorrect: "The cat, itself, caught the mouse." (The intensive pronoun is unnecessary. The sentence is already clear and grammatically correct). Correct: "The cat caught the mouse."

Error 3: Using Intensive Pronouns with Impersonal Verbs

Intensive pronouns cannot logically modify impersonal verbs (verbs that do not have a direct subject performing an action).

Incorrect: "It itself rained all day." (It is not a person and cannot act upon itself). Correct: "It rained all day."

Error 4: Using Intensive Pronouns with Passive Voice

While possible, using intensive pronouns with passive voice is often awkward and can be improved with a rewrite.

Awkward: "The task was completed by the team themselves." Better: "The team completed the task themselves."

Identifying Correct Intensive Pronoun Usage: A Practical Guide

To confidently identify the correct use of intensive pronouns, ask yourself these questions:

1. Is the pronoun necessary for the grammatical structure of the sentence? If no, it might be an intensive pronoun. If yes, it is a reflexive pronoun.
2. Does the pronoun add emphasis or highlight the subject's direct involvement? If yes, it's correctly used as an intensive pronoun.
3. Does the sentence sound natural and clear with the intensive pronoun? If no, consider removing it.
4. Is the pronoun used with an impersonal verb or in a way that feels grammatically awkward? If so, it is likely incorrectly used.

Examples of Sentences with Correct and Incorrect Intensive Pronoun Usage

Let's analyze several sentences to solidify your understanding:

Correct:

• "I myself am responsible for the project's success." (Emphasis on personal responsibility)
• "The children cleaned their rooms themselves." (Emphasis on their independent effort)
• "The judge, himself, delivered the verdict." (Emphasis on the judge's direct action)
• "We painted the fence ourselves, saving money on labor costs." (Emphasis on self-reliance and cost savings)

Incorrect:

• "The dog licked itself." (Incorrect intensive pronoun usage; requires reflexive pronoun)
• "The book was written by itself." (Incorrect; impersonal subject)
• "She made the dress herself while watching TV." (While grammatically correct, the emphasis is weak and the intensive pronoun is arguably unnecessary.) A simpler sentence might read, "She made the dress while watching TV."
• "They gave the present to themselves." (This could be considered a reflexive pronoun depending on the context. If they gave a present to each other, it's reflexive. If they gave a present only to themselves, it's awkwardly written and could be simplified).

Improving Your Writing with Intensive Pronouns

Mastering intensive pronouns enhances your writing's precision and impact. Remember to use them judiciously – only when the added emphasis strengthens your message and avoids clumsiness or grammatical errors. Careful consideration of the context is key to their effective implementation.

By following the guidelines and examples provided in this article, you can confidently identify and employ intensive pronouns correctly, making your writing more impactful and grammatically sound. Practice is key! Review your own writing and identify places where you might have misused or unnecessarily included intensive pronouns. Improving your understanding of grammar is a continuous process, and this area is particularly crucial for polished and clear writing. Regular practice and mindful application of these rules will significantly improve your writing skills.