Command Forms with Reflexive Pronouns (2024)

FAQs

Command Forms with Reflexive Pronouns? ›

When dealing with the command forms of reflexive verbs, the reflexive pronouns must be attached to the end of an affirmative command and placed in front of a negative command. If you attach even one pronoun to the end of the command form, you must add an accent mark to maintain the correct stress.

Some Common Reflexive Verbs

To shave (oneself). To take a bath. To get tired. To get married.

Grammar explanation. Reflexive pronouns are words like myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves and themselves. They refer back to a person or thing. We often use reflexive pronouns when the subject and the object of a verb are the same.

Pronoun placement with commands, depends on whether the command is an affirmative command (telling someone what to do) or a negative command (telling a person what NOT to do. In an affirmative command, the pronoun is ATTACHED to the end of the command.

In order to form the imperative of reflexive verbs for commands, the reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, os, se) need to be attached to the end of the verb in the imperative for affirmative commands. However, they are placed before the verb in the imperative for negative commands.

Reflexive pronouns include myself, yourself/yourselves, himself, herself, themselves, ourselves, itself and oneself.

Tell students that a reflexive pronoun is a pronoun that refers back to the subject of the sentence. Explain that reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and the object of the sentences are the same. Circle the word himself in the sentence you wrote on the board.

A reflexive verb can be any action word, if the word is transitive, and it's next to a reflexive pronoun. Reflexive pronouns are connected to subjective pronouns. The action actually reflects back to the subject through the suffix of self to show the performer of the action is also the receiver of the action.

What is the affirmative reflexive command? ›

For reflexive verbs, affirmative commands are formed by dropping the –r and adding the reflexive pronoun –os. In negative commands, the pronoun precedes the verb.

Reflexive, indirect object, and direct object pronouns must be attached to the end of an affirmative command. Remember the acronym RID because, if more than one of these pronouns are used together, they will consistently be used in that order.

You can attach certain direct object pronouns and indirect object pronouns to command forms! If you're using affirmative commands, the pronouns are attached directly to the end of the verb. If you're using negative commands, the pronouns go directly before the verb.

Affirmative Commands - Also called the positive imperative tense; these commands are used to give direct orders for something to happen.

Affirmative Commands: With an affirmative command, the object pronoun(s) will be attached directly to the end of the verb in its imperative form.

When dealing with the command forms of reflexive verbs, the reflexive pronouns must be attached to the end of an affirmative command and placed in front of a negative command. If you attach even one pronoun to the end of the command form, you must add an accent mark to maintain the correct stress.

Common reflexive verbs in Spanish

“Me levanto temprano a las 8 cada mañana.” (I get up at 8 every morning.) “Él se viste rápidamente para el trabajo.” (He gets dressed quickly for work.)

She washes herself.

SHE is both the object AND the subject of the sentence. In English, reflexive verbs are demonstrated with pronouns like myself, himself, ourselves.