Os reflexive pronouns (pronomes reflexivos) terminam em -self ou -selves. Uma pessoa ou coisa: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself. Mais de uma: ourselves, yourselves, themselves.
-self e -selves
The cat is washing itself.
The children dressed themselves.
Experimente: Man: How was the party? Woman: Great! The kids really enjoyed ___. Escolha o que a mulher diz. (them / ourselves / themselves) Resposta: themselves — As crianças se divertiram, então se diz: they enjoyed themselves.
De volta para a mesma pessoa
Quando alguém faz algo com a mesma pessoa, use um reflexive pronoun (pronome reflexivo: myself, yourself…): I hurt myself.
I hurt myself.
He's talking to himself.
Not "I hurt me." — say "I hurt myself.". A mesma pessoa faz e se machuca, então myself.
Experimente: Woman: You made dinner for everyone? Man: Yes, and I made ___ a big dessert, too! Escolha o que o homem diz. (me / myself / yourself) Resposta: myself — Ele fez a sobremesa para a mesma pessoa, ele mesmo, então ele diz myself.
By myself: sozinho
Diga by myself quando você faz algo sem mais ninguém. Funciona com todos os pronomes reflexivos: by yourself, by herself, by ourselves.
I like to walk by myself.
Can you do it by yourself?
Experimente: Man: Is anyone going with you to the concert? Woman: No, I'm going ___. That's fine! Escolha o que a mulher diz. (with my sister / by myself / by yourself) Resposta: by myself — Ninguém vai com ela, então ela diz by myself.
A mesma pessoa, ou outra pessoa?
A mesma pessoa: um pronome reflexivo (myself, herself, themselves). Outra pessoa: um pronome oblíquo (me, her, them).
She looked at herself in the mirror. (the same woman)
She looked at her and said hello. (another woman)
Experimente: Woman: Why is your sister so happy? Man: Her husband bought ___ some flowers. Escolha o que o homem diz. (herself / her / himself) Resposta: her — As flores são para outra pessoa, a irmã dele, então ele diz her.