Emphatic Pronouns - Explore Meaning, Definition, Usage and Examples

Pronouns are generally described as those words that are used in the place of nouns. Though this is what pronouns are normally intended for, they have various functions and are classified into various types based on their role in a sentence. Emphatic pronouns are one of the types of pronouns. You will be introduced to what emphatic pronouns are, how they are different from reflexive pronouns, how they can be used, and examples of emphatic pronouns.

Table of Contents

• What Is an Emphatic Pronoun? – Meaning and Definition
  • How to Employ an Emphatic Pronoun in a Sentence?
• Difference between an Emphatic Pronoun and a Reflexive Pronoun
• Examples of Emphatic Pronouns
• Check Your Understanding of Emphatic Pronouns
• Frequently Asked Questions on Emphatic Pronouns

What Is an Emphatic Pronoun? – Meaning and Definition

An emphatic pronoun is a pronoun such as myself, herself, yourself, etc., that is used immediately after the noun to which it refers in order to show emphasis. If you look closely, you will be able to understand that the emphatic pronoun also indicates that an action was done without any help; this meaning is often implied. According to the Oxford Guide to English Grammar, an emphatic pronoun is “a pronoun such as myself or themselves, emphasising a noun phrase, e.g. The Queen herself visited the scene.”

How to Employ an Emphatic Pronoun in a Sentence?

In most case scenarios, the pronoun that acts as the emphatic pronoun is seen to be used immediately after the noun it is emphasising. For example, you will have to speak to the bank manager himself if you want it done at the earliest. Meanwhile, there are times when the emphatic pronoun appears a little farther from the noun it refers to.

All of you must have been familiar with the use of capital letters to highlight or stress a word. Emphatic pronouns are meant to provide the same effect. Instead of saying, ‘Can you believe SHE did it?’, you can say, ‘Can you believe she did it herself?’ Now, removing an emphatic pronoun from a sentence will not affect its meaning to a great extent; however, the purpose behind the thought itself is lost if you remove it. One point that you will have to remember is that emphatic pronouns are not to be substituted in the place of other pronouns like me, him, your, her, them, etc.

Difference between an Emphatic Pronoun and a Reflexive Pronoun

Since both the same words are used both as emphatic pronouns and reflexive pronouns, there are chances you might be confused with them. So, here is a table with the characteristics that make them different from each other to make it easier for you to understand.

Examples of Emphatic Pronouns

Take a look at the following examples to learn how emphatic pronouns can be used in sentences.

• We went to meet the Governor herself and find a solution to our problem.
• The Chief Minister himself came to oversee the flood-affected areas and offer support.
• I myself had to do all the cooking as no one was home.
• It is better if you do it yourself.
• They themselves were not sure what was happening.
• We ourselves have not decided about the trip.
• Did she cook all this herself?
• The country itself has not seen such a rise in temperatures in all these years.
• What is the point if Manu himself does not seem to enjoy his birthday party?
• We ourselves figured out how to go about with the equipment.

Check Your Understanding of Emphatic Pronouns

Read through the sentences given below and identify if the italicised words are emphatic or reflexive pronouns.

1. The children themselves came up to me and volunteered to help out.

2. Tom himself was out of his mind. How can we expect him to tell us what to do now?

3. Gowtham cooked for himself and his wife.

4. I myself was not ready to start a business at that time.

5. Eddie stayed home all by himself.

6. No one knew Diana herself was a cyber analyst.

7. Nina did not do anything useful for herself or for anyone else.

8. Bob himself agreed to clean up the mess he had made.

9. Everyone was aware that Jake himself had to be blamed for losing his job.

10. It is advised that each one of you take care of yourselves.

Check the answers given below to see if you identified the pronouns correctly.

1. The children themselves came up to me and volunteered to help out. – Emphatic Pronoun

2. Tom himself was out of his mind. How can we expect him to tell us what to do now? – Emphatic Pronoun

3. Gowtham cooked for himself and his wife. – Reflexive Pronoun

4. I myself was not ready to start a business at that time. – Emphatic Pronoun

5. Eddie stayed home all by himself. – Reflexive Pronoun

6. No one knew Diana herself was a cyber analyst. – Emphatic Pronoun

7. Nina did not do anything useful for herself or for anyone else. – Reflexive Pronoun

8. Bob himself agreed to clean up the mess he had made. – Emphatic Pronoun

9. Everyone was aware that Jake himself had to be blamed for losing his job. – Emphatic Pronoun

10. It is advised that each one of you take care of yourselves. – Reflexive Pronoun