When Not to Use Myself

Teach the removal test first: if the sentence still makes sense without the pronoun, it is intensive. Then use the podcast sheet as a quick editing check before students revise their own writing.

Fix sentences that misuse myself, herself and ourselves in a student podcast story. A reflexive pronoun points back to the subject of its clause, so myself never replaces I or me. The directions on the page read: If the underlined pronoun is used correctly, write OK on the line. If it is not, write the pronoun that should replace it. An answer key is included.

Yes, both. We made it for 8th grade pronouns, and it works the same at home or at school. At home, a student can work through it alone and then go over it with you, which shows quickly what is solid and what needs another look. In class it works as independent practice, homework or a warm-up, and you can print one copy or a full set.

An intensive pronoun adds emphasis, so the sentence keeps its meaning without it, as in Ms. Delgado herself sketched the outline. A reflexive pronoun is needed because it points back to the subject, as in Tariq reminded himself.

Myself is wrong when it replaces I or me, as in Jaden and myself recorded the episode. It is right only when it points back to I in the same clause, as in I taught myself.

They read each sentence about a student podcast and write OK if the underlined pronoun is correct. If it is not, they write the pronoun that should replace it.