Common Mistake: Emphatic Reflexive Pronouns

Using emphatic reflexive pronouns, such as "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," "ourselves," "yourselves," and "themselves," can sometimes lead to common grammar mistakes. While it is correct to use these pronouns, it is not always necessary.

Let's take a look at an example:

• Example 1:
  Incorrect: I myself will take care of it.
  Correct: I will take care of it.

In the example above, "I myself" is grammatically correct but redundant. The sentence can be rephrased to be more concise by removing the emphatic reflexive pronoun.

Here's another example:

• Example 2:
  Incorrect: They themselves are responsible for the mistake.
  Correct: They are responsible for the mistake.

In this example, "They themselves" is unnecessary as it does not add any additional meaning to the sentence. Removing the emphatic reflexive pronoun makes the sentence more clear and concise.

It is important to note that using emphatic reflexive pronouns can sometimes be used for emphasis or clarification. For example:

• Example 3:
  Correct: I myself saw it happen. (to emphasize personal involvement)

In this example, the use of "I myself" adds emphasis to the fact that the speaker personally witnessed the event.

Overall, while emphatic reflexive pronouns can be grammatically correct, it is advisable to use them sparingly and only when necessary to avoid redundancy and ensure clear and concise communication.

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