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Reflexive Verbs Grammar Exercises for English Language

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Reflexive verbs are an essential part of English grammar that often perplexes learners but are crucial for mastering the language. These verbs occur when the subject and the object of a sentence are the same, meaning the action reflects back on the doer. For example, in the sentence "She taught herself to play the guitar," the verb "taught" is reflexive because "herself" refers back to "she." Understanding and correctly using reflexive verbs can greatly enhance your ability to express actions and emotions more clearly and accurately in English. Grasping the concept of reflexive verbs not only helps in constructing sentences correctly but also aids in better comprehension when reading or listening. Reflexive verbs are frequently used in everyday conversation, literature, and media, making them indispensable for effective communication. This section will provide you with a variety of exercises designed to reinforce your understanding of reflexive verbs. You'll practice identifying reflexive verbs in sentences, using them correctly in context, and distinguishing them from other verb forms. By the end of these exercises, you should feel more confident in your ability to use reflexive verbs accurately and naturally in your own speech and writing.

Exercise 1

1. She looked at *herself* in the mirror (reflexive pronoun for "she"). 2. The cat cleaned *itself* after playing outside (reflexive pronoun for "the cat"). 3. They taught *themselves* how to play the guitar (reflexive pronoun for "they"). 4. He always blames *himself* when things go wrong (reflexive pronoun for "he"). 5. We enjoyed *ourselves* at the party last night (reflexive pronoun for "we"). 6. The children entertained *themselves* while their parents were away (reflexive pronoun for "the children"). 7. I made *myself* a cup of tea (reflexive pronoun for "I"). 8. She prides *herself* on being punctual (reflexive pronoun for "she"). 9. He hurt *himself* while trying to lift the heavy box (reflexive pronoun for "he"). 10. We must trust *ourselves* to make the right decisions (reflexive pronoun for "we").

Exercise 2

1. She always *reminds* herself to stay calm (verb for remembering). 2. They *taught* themselves how to play the guitar (verb for learning). 3. He *hurt* himself while playing football (verb for causing pain). 4. I *asked* myself if I was making the right decision (verb for questioning). 5. You need to *prepare* yourself for the exam (verb for getting ready). 6. The cat *cleaned* itself after eating (verb for washing). 7. We should *introduce* ourselves to the new neighbors (verb for making known). 8. She *convinced* herself that everything would be okay (verb for persuading). 9. He often *finds* himself lost in thought (verb for discovering). 10. They *pride* themselves on their work ethic (verb for taking satisfaction).

Exercise 3

1. She looked at *herself* in the mirror (reflexive pronoun). 2. They taught *themselves* how to play the guitar (reflexive pronoun). 3. I can handle this problem *myself* (reflexive pronoun). 4. The cat cleaned *itself* after playing outside (reflexive pronoun). 5. We should remind *ourselves* to stay focused (reflexive pronoun). 6. He hurt *himself* while lifting heavy boxes (reflexive pronoun). 7. You need to believe in *yourself* (reflexive pronoun). 8. The children amused *themselves* with the new toys (reflexive pronoun). 9. She prepared *herself* a cup of tea (reflexive pronoun). 10. The dog entertained *itself* with the ball (reflexive pronoun).