What Is an Intensive Pronoun? Definition and Examples

Language is full of little details that can change the meaning of what you say. One such detail is the intensive pronoun—a small but powerful tool in English grammar. You may not realize it, but you already use intensive pronouns almost every day when you want to make a point stronger. Think about the times you’ve said things like “I myself don’t believe that story” or “The President himself attended the meeting.” Those little words—myself and himself—aren’t just there for fun. They serve a specific purpose.

Understanding intensive pronouns helps you write with precision and speak with impact. They add emphasis, clear up confusion, and make your sentences sound more polished. Many learners mistake them for reflexive pronouns, which look the same but function differently. That’s why a closer look is essential.

In this guide, you’ll discover:

• The exact definition of an intensive pronoun
• A full list of intensive pronouns in English
• How they compare to reflexive pronouns
• Rules for using them correctly in sentences
• Common mistakes and how to avoid them
• Practical examples from real life, literature, and media
• Exercises to test your knowledge

By the end, you’ll have a clear, confident understanding of intensive pronouns and know how to use them effectively in both casual and formal communication.

What Is an Intensive Pronoun?

An intensive pronoun is a type of pronoun used to emphasize a noun or another pronoun. In other words, it’s there to stress the importance of the subject, not to change the meaning of the sentence.

👉 Example:

• The manager herself approved the project.
• I baked this cake myself.

In both examples, the intensive pronoun highlights who is doing the action, without altering the basic meaning of the sentence. If you remove it, the sentence still makes sense:

• The manager approved the project.
• I baked this cake.

So, the key role of an intensive pronoun is emphasis.

The List of Intensive Pronouns in English

English has a fixed set of intensive pronouns. They are identical in form to reflexive pronouns but serve a different function.

Here’s a table to help you visualize them:

These are the only intensive pronouns in English. You can’t create new ones by adding -self or -selves to any word.

Intensive Pronouns vs Reflexive Pronouns

One of the most common mistakes is confusing intensive pronouns with reflexive pronouns. They look the same, but their jobs are different.

• Intensive Pronoun → Used for emphasis. Sentence makes sense without it.
• Reflexive Pronoun → Used when the subject and object are the same. Sentence doesn’t make sense without it.

Comparison Table

👉 Notice how placement often changes meaning. Intensive pronouns usually appear right after the subject or at the end of a phrase for emphasis.

How to Use Intensive Pronouns in Sentences

Here are some practical rules for using intensive pronouns correctly:

• Rule 1: Place after the subject or noun you want to emphasize
  • The teacher herself graded the exams.
• Rule 2: Use only for emphasis, not necessity
  • I myself saw the accident happen.
• Rule 3: Avoid redundancy
  • Don’t say: The CEO himself personally signed the deal.
  • Better: The CEO himself signed the deal.
• Rule 4: Keep it natural
  • Intensive pronouns work best in moderation. Too many can sound unnatural.

Common Examples of Intensive Pronouns

Here’s a list of sentences showing intensive pronouns in action:

• The author himself attended the book signing.
• We ourselves must solve this problem.
• You yourself said it was true.
• The machine itself stopped working after the storm.
• They themselves designed the entire campaign.

Notice that in every case, the sentence still makes sense without the intensive pronoun—it’s just less forceful.

Why Do We Use Intensive Pronouns?

So why bother with these extra words? Because they add power and clarity. Intensive pronouns help in:

• Emphasis: Highlighting the doer of the action
• Contrast: Showing that no one else was involved
• Clarity: Avoiding confusion in complex sentences

👉 Example of contrast:

• The chef himself prepared this dish, not his assistant.

Here, the intensive pronoun clears up any doubt about who did the work.

Mistakes to Avoid with Intensive Pronouns

Many learners slip up when using intensive pronouns. Here are the most common errors:

• Mixing them with reflexive pronouns
  • Wrong: She hurt herself herself.
  • Correct: She hurt herself.
• Overusing for emphasis
  • Wrong: I myself personally guarantee this myself.
  • Correct: I personally guarantee this.
• Incorrect placement
  • Wrong: Himself the teacher graded the papers.
  • Correct: The teacher himself graded the papers.

Intensive Pronouns in Literature, Media, and Everyday Speech

Writers and speakers often use intensive pronouns to draw attention or create drama.

• Literature:
  • “I myself will bear witness.” – Classic emphasis in historical texts.
• Media:
  • News anchors often say: “The President himself confirmed the report.”
• Everyday speech:
  • “I’ll fix it myself!”

These examples show how intensive pronouns make statements sound stronger and more personal.

Quick Practice & Exercises

Test yourself with these short exercises.

Fill in the blanks with the correct intensive pronoun:

1. The CEO _______ announced the results.
2. Did you _______ paint this picture?
3. The players _______ designed their uniforms.
4. We _______ will handle the situation.
5. She _______ cooked the entire meal.

Rewrite the sentences for emphasis:

• The teacher graded the exams.
• John fixed the car.
• I cleaned the house.

Answer Key:

1. himself
2. yourself
3. themselves
4. ourselves
5. herself

Rewritten:

• The teacher herself graded the exams.
• John himself fixed the car.
• I myself cleaned the house.

Recap & Key Takeaways

• An intensive pronoun emphasizes a noun or pronoun.
• The list includes: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves.
• They look the same as reflexive pronouns but serve a different purpose.
• Removing an intensive pronoun doesn’t break the sentence—it just removes the emphasis.
• Use them carefully to add impact, avoid confusion, and strengthen communication.
  

Conclusion

An intensive pronoun is a word that emphasizes a noun or pronoun without changing the sentence’s meaning. Words like myself, herself, themselves, and yourself fall into this category. They often appear right after the subject to add focus or emphasis.

For example: “I baked the cake myself.” The sentence would still be correct without myself, but its inclusion stresses who did the action.

In short, intensive pronouns are powerful tools in English grammar. They highlight importance, create stronger expression, and make writing more engaging. By recognizing and using them correctly, you can bring extra clarity and emphasis to your sentences.

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FAQs About Intensive Pronouns

What’s the difference between reflexive and intensive pronouns?

Reflexive pronouns reflect back on the subject, while intensive pronouns add emphasis.

Can “myself” always be an intensive pronoun?

No. Sometimes it’s reflexive (I taught myself), sometimes intensive (I myself disagree).

Do all languages use intensive pronouns?

Not all. Some languages use word order or tone instead of pronouns for emphasis.

Are intensive pronouns necessary in formal writing?

They’re not required, but they can make formal writing sharper when used sparingly.

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