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Pronouns- Using '-self' or '-selves'

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Pronouns- Using '-self' or '-selves'

by pareekbharat86 » Wed Dec 11, 2013 4:01 pm
Hi everyone,

I read the the Pronouns chapter from MGMAT's SC book, but could not find any matter on how to deal with words viz. 'myself', 'herself', 'himself' etc.

For Eg, lets have a look at problem #15 of the problem set from the Pronouns chapter.

She took her laptop and her books with her on the plane because she thought she could use them to get some work done.

Instead of 'her', I was tempted to use 'herself'. Obviously MGMAT did not agree with me.

Can someone please throw some light on the usage of '-self' and 'selves' pronouns. Are they even pronouns?
Thanks,
Bharat.
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by Patrick_GMATFix » Wed Dec 11, 2013 9:21 pm
Hey Bharat,

These are reflexive pronouns. They are typically used in two ways:

1) When the subject of the verb does and also receives an action
Example 1: I made myself sick by drinking spoiled milk. In this case the subject "I", is also the recipient of the action (I did something to myself).

Example 2: John had to take himself to work even tough he wasn't feeling well.

Technically this happens when the subject is also the object of the verb
2) To emphasize who performed the action by repeating the identity of the actor
Example 1: Michael finished the project himself (or all by himself). There is no grammatical need to have "himself" at the end, but adding it emphasizes just how impressive Michael was by repeating that he did it and no one else.
She took her laptop and her books with her on the plane
This sentence does not fit either case. She didn't do anything to herself (the subject is not also the object of the verb "took").

Correct: She took herself on the plane. (herself is the object/recipient of the verb)
Wrong: She took books with herself on the plane. ("with herself" is not the object of the verb, but rather the object of books)

Hope that helps,
-Patrick
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by abhi.iitb » Sat Dec 14, 2013 7:09 am
Hi Patrick,
I didn't understand the example " Wrong: She took books with herself on the plane. ("with herself" is not the object of the verb, but rather the object of books)"
How is herself the object of books?? Can you please help me to understand it.

Thanks,
Abhishek
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