A reflexive verb uses a reflexive pronoun to show that the subject and the object of the action are the same person or thing. In English, we form reflexive meaning by pairing a verb with a reflexive pronoun such as "myself" or "themselves." The key is that the action returns to the doer. Not all verbs in English take reflexive pronouns; we use them when the meaning requires it.

English reflexive pronouns are formed with "-self" for the singular and "-selves" for the plural. Each personal pronoun has a matching reflexive form. We choose the reflexive pronoun based on the subject of the clause.

Word/Phrase	Definition
myself	I use this when I am both the subject and the object of the action.
yourself	You use this when you are both the subject and the object of the action.
himself	He uses this when he is both the subject and the object of the action.
herself	She uses this when she is both the subject and the object of the action.
itself	It uses this when it is both the subject and the object of the action.
ourselves	We use this when we are both the subject and the object of the action.
yourselves	You plural use this when you are both the subject and the object of the action.
themselves	They use this when they are both the subject and the object of the action.

We use a reflexive pronoun when the subject does something to or for itself. The reflexive pronoun usually comes after the verb or after a preposition. In standard English, we do not use a reflexive pronoun as a subject or to replace ordinary object pronouns when the action is not reflexive.

Rule
Use a reflexive pronoun when the subject and the object are the same and the verb needs an object.
Use the reflexive pronoun that matches the subject of the clause.
Place the reflexive pronoun after the verb or after a preposition in the same clause.

Some verbs commonly appear with reflexive pronouns in English because their meaning involves the subject acting on itself. These include verbs about caring for oneself, controlling oneself, introducing oneself, and preparing oneself. Other verbs may take a reflexive pronoun only in specific contexts where the action clearly returns to the subject.

Word/Phrase	Definition
introduce oneself	To give your name and information to others as both speaker and focus.
hurt oneself	To cause injury to yourself as both agent and affected person.
teach oneself	To learn something without another teacher, being both learner and guide.
prepare oneself	To get ready by your own effort as both preparer and recipient.
remind oneself	To bring something to your own attention as both sender and receiver.
behave oneself	To control your own actions, treating yourself as the target of the control.

In English, many actions do not need a reflexive pronoun because the object is clear or because the verb is used intransitively. We use an ordinary object pronoun when the action goes to another person or thing. Overusing reflexive pronouns can sound unnatural because English prefers non-reflexive forms unless the meaning specifically requires reflexivity.

Rule
Use an object pronoun when the action is directed at someone or something else.
Omit the reflexive pronoun when the verb does not require an object to complete its meaning.
Avoid adding a reflexive pronoun just for emphasis unless the meaning is truly reflexive.