Grammar Lesson: Reflexive, Demonstrative, and Interrogative Pronouns

A reflexive pronoun is formed by adding "-self" or "-selves" to a personal pronoun.

• Reflexive pronouns   include the first-person pronouns, myself and ourselves. The second-person pronouns are yourself and yourselves. The third-person pronouns are himself, herself, itself, and themselves.
  The young lady carried in all her packages by herself.
  They relied upon themselves to finish the daunting task.
  Will he remember to help himself to the food on the table?
• Demonstrative pronouns   point out a specific person, place, thing, or idea. This, that, these, and those are demonstrative pronouns.
  This birthday card is intriguing.
  These crossword puzzles sure are stumpers!
  Are those stars always visible to us?
• Interrogative pronouns   introduce questions. What, which, who, whom, and whose are interrogative pronouns.
  Whose bicycle is this?
  Which of these is the correct answer, Paula?
  Whom did you ask to watch your dog while you went on vacation?

Activity

Underline the reflexive (REF), demonstrative (DEM), and interrogative (INT) pronouns in these sentences. Above each of those pronouns, indicate its type by using the three-letter code.

1. Who can learn this dance by herself?
2. Will you complete those problems by yourself?
3. Whom can I ask for help with these directions?

Answers

1. Who (INT), this (DEM), herself (REF)
2. those (DEM), yourself (REF)
3. Whom (INT), these (DEM)