reflexive verb

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Definition

Noun: A reflexive verb is a verb whose subject and object refer to the same entity. The action performed by the subject is directed back upon the subject itself. In English, these verbs are often accompanied by a reflexive pronoun (myself, yourself, himself, etc.) to indicate this relationship.

Usage

Reflexive verbs are used to express actions where the agent (the doer) and the patient (the receiver) of the action are identical. They are common for describing personal care, changes in emotional or physical state, or actions that naturally reflect back on the subject.

Examples
  • The verb "perjure" is a reflexive verb because you cannot perjure anyone but yourself. One must say, "He perjured himself."
  • In the sentence "He washed," the verb "washed" can function as a reflexive verb if the implied meaning is "He washed himself."
  • She taught herself to play the piano. (The subject "She" performed the action of teaching on herself.)
  • Please help yourself to some food. (The subject "you" is instructed to perform the action of helping on yourself.)
Advanced Usage
  • Inherently Reflexive Verbs: Some verbs are almost always used reflexively in English, such as , , and . For example, "I pride myself on my work" is standard, whereas "I pride my work" is not.
  • Optional Reflexivity: Many verbs can be used both reflexively and non-reflexively. The meaning changes based on the presence of the reflexive pronoun.
    • Non-reflexive: "He washed the car." (The action is directed at a different object.)
    • Reflexive: "He washed himself." (The action is directed back at the subject.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Reflexive Pronoun (n): A pronoun that refers back to the subject of the clause (e.g., myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves). It is the grammatical element that typically accompanies a reflexive verb.
  • Reflexivity (n): The grammatical or semantic property of being reflexive.
Synonyms
  • Self-directed verb: A descriptive term highlighting that the verb's action is directed at the self.
Related Grammatical Concepts
  • Reciprocal Verb: A verb where subjects perform actions on each other (e.g., "They hugged each other"). This is different from a reflexive verb where the action is on oneself.
  • Transitive Verb: A verb that requires a direct object. A reflexive verb is a specific type of transitive verb where the object is a reflexive pronoun referring to the subject.
  • Intransitive Verb: A verb that does not take a direct object. This contrasts with reflexive verbs, which do take an object (the reflexive pronoun).
Noun
  1. a verb whose agent performs an action that is directed at the agent
    • the sentence `he washed' has a reflexive verb
    • `perjure' is a reflexive verb because you cannot perjure anyone but yourself