Intensive Pronouns | Examples, Definition & List
An intensive pronoun (sometimes called an emphatic pronoun) is a word that’s used to place special emphasis on another noun or pronoun (e.g. “the man himself”). It can indicate something special or unexpected or distinguish the person or thing in question from others.
In English, intensive pronouns are identical to reflexive pronouns—both always end in -self or -selves—but their grammatical functions are different. There are intensive forms of all the personal pronouns and of the impersonal pronoun “one.”
How are intensive pronouns used in sentences?
An intensive pronoun always appears in combination with a noun or another pronoun; it can’t stand on its own as a subject or object.
- Myself have never been to Australia.
- I myself have never been to Australia.
- Why don’t you ask himself?
- Why don’t you ask the man himself?
The intensive pronoun most commonly appears directly after the antecedent (the noun or pronoun it refers to), but it can also appear later in the sentence. The kind of emphasis provided can vary based on the placement of the intensive pronoun.
You should do it yourself. [more emphasis on the fact the action will be performed alone]
The intensive pronoun occasionally appears before the antecedent, separated from it with a comma. The emphasis is similar to placing it directly after the antecedent. This is a less common word order and tends to read less smoothly than other options.
Intensive vs. reflexive pronouns
All the same words that function as intensive pronouns can also be used as reflexive pronouns. While the words are identical, their grammatical function in each case is different:
- An intensive pronoun is used in combination with a noun or pronoun, on which they place special emphasis. The sentence will still make sense (though the emphasis will change) if it is removed.
- A reflexive pronoun is used in place of an object pronoun when the subject and object are the same person or thing. It’s essential to the meaning of the sentence.
Give yourself a break. [“Give a break” isn’t a complete sentence.]
The robot can complete many tasks itself. [“The robot can complete many tasks” is a complete sentence.]
The investment pays for itself. [“The investment pays for” isn’t a complete sentence.]
Frequently asked questions
Sources in this article
We strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. You can cite our article (APA Style) or take a deep dive into the articles below.
This Scribbr articleCaulfield, J. (2023, May 15). Intensive Pronouns | Examples, Definition & List. Scribbr. Retrieved June 15, 2025, from https://www.scribbr.com/nouns-and-pronouns/intensive-pronoun/
Aarts, B. (2011). Oxford modern English grammar. Oxford University Press.
Butterfield, J. (Ed.). (2015). Fowler’s dictionary of modern English usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Garner, B. A. (2016). Garner’s modern English usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.