Reflexive pronouns

[vil]

Dear teachers,

I know that reflexive pronouns refer to the subject of the sentence in which they are used, indicating that the action performed by the doer passes back to him or is associated with him.

“She is killed herself” he said hoarsely… “For God’s sake, collect yourself, man.” I said.
I asked myself why on earth Mrs. Strickland had allowed me to come.
He burst out laughing at himself.

She opened to him herself.
You and I can have a little chat by ourselves.

I was left to myself.
He shot himself.

Undressing again, she washed herself intensively…
And then I dressed myself and came away to find you.

But in the event that the pronoun is not a object but an adverbial modifier of place it is not a reflexive pronoun but a regular personal pronoun.

He had a pile of saucers in front of him. (not himself).

Would you be kind enough to explain to me the following usages?

My friend here and myself would be so much obliged if you would tell us how you caught that trout up here.

Like myself, she had been making her final purchases before leaving London.

“What we need is a strong man.” “Yourself, for instance.”

I am sure one can do anything with oneself if one tries.

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

[Raymott]

Dear teachers,

I know that reflexive pronouns refer to the subject of the sentence in which they are used, indicating that the action performed by the doer passes back to him or is associated with him.

“She has killed herself” he said hoarsely… “For God’s sake, collect yourself, man.” I said.
I asked myself why on earth Mrs. Strickland had allowed me to come.
He burst out laughing at himself.

She opened to him herself.
You and I can have a little chat by ourselves.

I was left to myself.
He shot himself.

Undressing again, she washed herself intensively…
And then I dressed myself and came away to find you.

But in the event that the pronoun is not a object but an adverbial modifier of place it is not a reflexive pronoun but a regular personal pronoun.

He had a pile of saucers in front of him. (not himself).

Would you be kind enough to explain to me the following usages?

My friend here and myself would be so much obliged if you would tell us how you caught that trout up here.
This is non-standard My friend and I would be ...

Like myself, she had been making her final purchases before leaving London.
Non-standard. Like me, she had...

“What we need is a strong man.” “Yourself, for instance.”
Non-standard. You, for instance.

I am sure one can do anything with oneself if one tries.
This is correct. One is performing an act on oneself
Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

R.
Note, that just because these are non-standard forms, doesn't mean you won't come across them.
For example "Yourself, for instance" could be meant as an intensifier.
I say "Ok, I'll do it myself!" quite often. "If you want something done properly you have to do it yourself."
These sound normal. Maybe they have a different derivation.

[Clark]

Reflexive pronouns can be used for emphasis, as a stylistic device.

He is a lazy-bones like me. (neutral)
He is a lazy bones like myself. (emphatic)