Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.
Children often cut ____ with a knife.

• A. himself
• B. they
• C. herself
• D. themselves

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

themselves

The sentence indicates that the children were the ones who got cut with the knife. Thus, the answer must refer back to the children and so, the answer must be a reflexive pronoun. 'Children' is a plural subject and so the pronoun must be able to refer to a plural subject.

Option A is incorrect. 'himself' is a reflexive pronoun that is used to refer to singular subjects of the male gender and not plural subjects. Thus, it is incorrect.

Option B is incorrect. 'they' is a third person nominative pronoun and not a reflexive one. Thus, it is incorrect.

Option C is incorrect. 'herself' is a reflexive pronoun that is used to refer to singular subjects of the female gender and not plural subjects. Thus, it is incorrect.

Option D is correct. 'themselves' is a third person reflexive pronoun that is used to refer to plural subjects. Thus, it can refer back to 'children' and is the correct answer.