Emphatic Pronouns

Definition

Emphatic pronouns are a type of pronoun used to emphasize a noun or another pronoun, often to highlight the importance or distinction of the subject. They are formed by adding '-self' or '-selves' to certain personal pronouns, such as 'myself,' 'yourself,' 'herself,' and 'themselves.' These pronouns can add clarity and focus to sentences, making the subject's actions more impactful.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Emphatic pronouns always follow the noun or pronoun they emphasize, like in the sentence 'I did it myself.'
2. They are not necessary for the meaning of the sentence but are used to draw attention to the subject's involvement.
3. Unlike reflexive pronouns, emphatic pronouns do not indicate that the subject is performing an action on themselves.
4. Using emphatic pronouns can change the tone of a sentence, making it sound more forceful or asserting importance.
5. Emphatic pronouns can be used in both spoken and written English to enhance clarity and expressiveness.

Review Questions

• How do emphatic pronouns function within a sentence, and what role do they play in emphasizing the subject?
  • Emphatic pronouns function by following and emphasizing a noun or another pronoun in a sentence. For example, in the phrase 'She herself completed the project,' the emphatic pronoun 'herself' highlights her unique involvement in completing the project. This usage helps to clarify that she was personally responsible, distinguishing her action from others who may have been involved.
• In what ways do emphatic pronouns differ from reflexive pronouns, and how can this distinction impact sentence structure?
  • Emphatic pronouns differ from reflexive pronouns primarily in their purpose and usage. Reflexive pronouns indicate that the subject performs an action on themselves, while emphatic pronouns emphasize the subject's role in an action without implying self-action. This distinction affects sentence structure as reflexive pronouns are essential for conveying meaning, while emphatic pronouns serve to enhance emphasis and clarity without being grammatically necessary.
• Evaluate how the use of emphatic pronouns can influence communication in both formal writing and everyday conversation.
  • The use of emphatic pronouns can greatly influence communication by adding emphasis and clarity to statements. In formal writing, they can strengthen arguments or highlight key points, making them more persuasive. In everyday conversation, emphatic pronouns can convey emotion or assertiveness, affecting how a message is received. The ability to emphasize specific subjects helps to shape interactions, making them more engaging and impactful.

Related terms

Reflexive Pronouns: Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject of the sentence and indicate that the subject is also the object of the verb, like 'myself' and 'themselves.'

Personal Pronouns: Personal pronouns are words that replace specific nouns in a sentence and include forms like 'I,' 'you,' 'he,' 'she,' 'it,' and 'they.'

Intensifiers: Intensifiers are words or phrases used to add emphasis or strengthen the meaning of a word, often modifying adjectives or adverbs.