MINI-LESSON

Reflexive & Non-reflexive Direct-Object Pronouns

Remember that the verb really isn't reflexive, the object is reflexive.

If the subject and the object are the same, the object is reflexive:

· Mark will see himself / he will see himself

· the girls express themselves / they express themselves

· I have invited myself

Saying "a verb with a reflexive object" is more exact and less misleading than simply saying "a reflexive verb".

The verbs included in a typical daily-routine unit are usually only practiced with reflexive pronouns:

· the man shaves himself

· the children dress themselves

But these verbs can also be practiced logically with non-reflexive pronouns. For example, if men go to a barber:

· we say: he shaves them

· the men say: he shaves us

· the barber says: I shave them

It's all very logical!

PRACTICE & VOCABULARY

bathes self, showers self, washes self, dries self, dresses self, undresses self, shaves self, depilates self (i.e., removes hair), combs self, brushes self, paints self (i.e., puts on makeup), makes up self, arranges self (i.e., gets ready), cares (for) self (i.e., takes care of oneself), lays self down (i.e., goes to bed), wakes self, raises/lifts self (i.e., gets up or stands up)