Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.
That machine is automatic. It runs by ________ .

• A. itself
• B. it
• C. themselves
• D. herself

Answer 1

The correct option is A itself

When the subject and the object of the verb is the same person or thing, we use a reflexive pronoun. When reflexive pronouns are used to put emphasis on a particular noun, they are called emphatic pronouns.

In the given sentence the subject and the object of the verb is 'the machine'. So a reflexive pronoun must be used.

'It' is not a reflexive pronoun. It is a personal pronoun. Thus we can eliminate option B as incorrect.

The reflexive pronoun for singular third person is 'himself','herself' or 'itself' according to the gender of the noun.

In the given sentence the noun is a building. So, the reflexive pronoun used must be 'itself'.

Thus option A is the correct answer. Option D is incorrect.

'Themselves' is the reflexive pronoun for third person plural. Thus option C is incorrect