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Reflexive Pronouns: -self and -selves Forms — Grade 8

Grade 8 worksheet on reflexive pronouns — himself, herself, themselves — covering correct use and common errors like myself used as a subject.

Reflexive pronouns — words like himself, herself, and themselves — cause some of the most persistent writing errors in middle school because they sound formal and polished even when they are wrong. This worksheet targets three specific mistakes: using myself in place of I or me, writing non-standard forms such as hisself or theirselves, and reaching for a reflexive pronoun when the subject and object are different people. The four sections move from recognition to production, so students first spot the pronoun and its antecedent in context, then choose among realistic options, then repair flawed sentences, and finally compose their own examples. Each sentence is long enough to require careful reading and antecedent tracing, which builds the analytical habit every strong writer needs.

Reflexive Pronouns: -self and -selves Forms — Grade 8

Read every sentence carefully before you respond. Work through all four sections in order, applying the rule reminder above each time.

Remember

  • A reflexive pronoun is correct when the subject and object of the verb refer to the same person: 'She taught herself to code.'
  • Never use a reflexive pronoun as the subject. Wrong: 'Myself attended the meeting.' Correct: 'I attended the meeting.'
  • Use the reflexive form that matches the antecedent in person and number: she — herself; they — themselves; I — myself.

Part A — Find the Reflexive Pronoun and Its Antecedent

In each sentence, underline the reflexive pronoun and circle its antecedent — the noun or pronoun the reflexive refers back to.

  1. 1.

    Kenji surprised himself when he discovered that his science presentation had earned the highest score.

  2. 2.

    After practicing for weeks, the team congratulated themselves on completing the robotics challenge without outside help.

  3. 3.

    Priya, who had studied the theorem carefully, convinced herself that the proof contained a flaw in line four.

  4. 4.

    Though divided on several issues, the council members reached a resolution themselves without outside mediation.

  5. 5.

    Marcus reminded himself that the deadline was approaching as he reviewed his draft for the third time.

  6. 6.

    Because the instructions were unclear, the students had to interpret the data themselves and draw their own conclusions.

Part B — Choose the Correct Pronoun

Circle the option that correctly completes each sentence, then be ready to name the rule that guided your choice.

  1. 7.

    When Darius examined his own argument critically, he discovered that he had contradicted ____ in the final paragraph.

    1. a)himself
    2. b)him
    3. c)his
  2. 8.

    Our director, who had prepared the summary, sent the final report to my partner and ____.

    1. a)myself
    2. b)me
    3. c)I
  3. 9.

    ____ and Tomas organized the entire science fair display, even though the faculty advisors were unavailable to help.

    1. a)Myself
    2. b)Me
    3. c)I
  4. 10.

    After reading the feedback, Jerome revised ____ before submitting the final version of his research paper.

    1. a)hisself
    2. b)himself
    3. c)him
  5. 11.

    The debate team members, who had practiced extensively, coached ____ through every difficult counterargument.

    1. a)theirselves
    2. b)themselves
    3. c)them
  6. 12.

    Ms. Vargas ____ confirmed that the library renovation would be completed before the end of the semester.

    1. a)herself
    2. b)himself
    3. c)themselves

Part C — Correct the Error

Each sentence contains one reflexive pronoun error; rewrite the complete sentence correctly on the line below it.

  1. 13.

    Myself and the other delegates drafted a proposal that would revise the school's attendance policy.

  2. 14.

    The visiting professor invited my classmate and myself to participate in the panel discussion.

  3. 15.

    Nathaniel taught hisself to read music notation before he enrolled in the advanced orchestra class.

  4. 16.

    The engineering students assembled the bridge model theirselves, using only the materials provided in the kit.

  5. 17.

    When the final scores were posted, Amara surprised her with a perfect performance on the exam.

  6. 18.

    Sergio asked that anyone who disagreed with the proposal should voice yourself during the open forum.

Part D — Write Your Own

Write an original sentence of at least twelve words that follows each prompt, using a reflexive pronoun correctly.

  1. 19.

    Write a sentence in which a reflexive pronoun is correct because the subject and object refer to the same person.

  2. 20.

    Write a sentence that uses a reflexive pronoun for emphasis only; removing it should not change the sentence's core meaning.

Answer key

Part A — Find the Reflexive Pronoun and Its Antecedent

  1. 1.himself, Kenji
  2. 2.themselves, team
  3. 3.herself, Priya
  4. 4.themselves, council members
  5. 5.himself, Marcus
  6. 6.themselves, students

Part B — Choose the Correct Pronoun

  1. 7.himself
  2. 8.me
  3. 9.I
  4. 10.himself
  5. 11.themselves
  6. 12.herself

Part C — Correct the Error

  1. 13.The other delegates and I drafted a proposal that would revise the school's attendance policy.
  2. 14.The visiting professor invited my classmate and me to participate in the panel discussion.
  3. 15.Nathaniel taught himself to read music notation before he enrolled in the advanced orchestra class.
  4. 16.The engineering students assembled the bridge model themselves, using only the materials provided in the kit.
  5. 17.When the final scores were posted, Amara surprised herself with a perfect performance on the exam.
  6. 18.Sergio asked that anyone who disagreed with the proposal should voice themselves during the open forum.

Part D — Write Your Own

  1. 19.Example: After practicing her speech for several days, Camila finally convinced herself that she was ready to present.
  2. 20.Example: The principal herself attended every rehearsal to show her support for the performing arts program.

What this worksheet teaches

  • Identify reflexive pronouns and their antecedents accurately in multi-clause sentences
  • Distinguish correct reflexive pronoun use from errors such as hisself, theirselves, or myself as a subject
  • Write original sentences using reflexive pronouns correctly in both reflexive and intensive roles

What is on the page

Part B — Choose the Correct Pronoun prints “When Darius examined his own argument critically, he discovered that he had contradicted ____ in the final paragraph.” with the options “himself”, “him” and “his”; the key gives “himself”.

In Part C — Correct the Error, “Myself and the other delegates drafted a proposal that would revise the school's attendance policy.” is corrected in the key to “The other delegates and I drafted a proposal that would revise the school's attendance policy.”

The language it drills

“Kenji surprised himself when he discovered that his science presentation had earned the highest score.” carries two answers: “himself” and “Kenji”.

Notes for the grown-up

  • Students most often misuse 'myself' as a polite-sounding substitute for 'I' or 'me,' especially in formal-sounding sentences.
  • When a student writes 'hisself' or 'theirselves,' show the complete standard -self and -selves list and explain these forms are not accepted in academic writing.
  • A student is ready to move on when they can name the specific rule a reflexive pronoun violates, not just identify that it sounds wrong.

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