Identify the self-pronoun(s) and type: The frustrated CEO caught himself humming his favorite song. (A) himself (intensive) B) his (reflexive) C) himself (reflexive) (D) his (intensive)
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is (C) himself (reflexive).
In this sentence, the self-pronoun “himself” is used as a reflexive pronoun because it refers back to the subject of the sentence, “the frustrated CEO”. Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and the object of the verb are the same person or thing. In this case, the CEO is both the one performing the action (catching) and the one receiving the action (humming), thus creating the need for a reflexive pronoun to indicate that the action is being done to the subject itself.
To clarify the difference between reflexive and intensive pronouns:
- Reflexive pronouns are used to reflect the action back to the subject. For example, “He caught himself humming,” where “himself” shows that the subject (he) is both doing and receiving the action.
- Intensive pronouns, on the other hand, are used to emphasize the subject. An intensive pronoun would be used in a sentence like “The CEO himself made the decision,” where “himself” is used to stress that it was the CEO, and no one else, who made the decision. It does not indicate that the action is being reflected back to the subject.
The distinction is important because reflexive pronouns are necessary for clarity in sentences where the subject and object are the same, while intensive pronouns merely add emphasis without changing the structure or meaning of the sentence. In this case, “himself” is reflecting back to the subject, showing that the CEO was involved in the action directly. Therefore, the correct classification is reflexive.