There are Intensive Pronouns and there are Gender Pronouns. In this article we’re going to take a deeper look into the sub-type of Intensive Gender Pronouns, how many of them there are and how they function.
Can intensive pronouns be gender specific?
Yes, some intensive pronouns can be gender specific.
Although, not all intensive pronouns are gender specific.
Example- The little boy did his entire homework by himself.
- In the above written sentence, the word “himself” is an example of an intensive gender pronoun.
- It’s an intensive gender masculine pronoun as it refers to the noun “boy”.
Why are intensive pronouns specific to gender?
Some intensive pronouns are specific to gender as they are used in reference to a person of the particular gender in question.
The intensive pronouns used is to refer to the males and females are different.
Example- She walked back home from school all by herself.
- In the above written sentence, the word “herself” is an example of an intensive gender pronoun.
- It’s an intensive gender feminine pronoun as it refers to the other pronoun “she”.
What are the intensive gender pronouns?
“Himself” and “Herself” are two intensive gender pronouns.
The range of intensive gender pronouns in the English Language is pretty narrow and is limited just the aforementioned pronouns.
Example 1- He just needed some time to himself.
- In the above written sentence, the word “himself” is an example of an intensive gender pronoun.
- It’s an intensive gender masculine pronoun as it refers to the noun “boy”.
Example 2- She herself asked for a second helping.
- In the above written sentence, the word “herself” is an example of an intensive gender pronoun.
- It’s an intensive gender feminine pronoun as it refers to the other pronoun “she”.
Intensive gender-neutral pronouns
“Themselves” and “Itself” are two intensive gender-neutral pronouns.
The above-mentioned pronouns can be used to refer to people whose gender isn’t specified or clearly indicated.
Example 1- That person over there made a cookie for themself.
- In the above written sentence, the word “themself” is an example of an intensive gender-neutral pronoun.
- It’s an intensive gender-neutral pronoun as it refers to the noun “person” and their gender isn’t specified.
Example 2- The cat has been cleaning itself all day.
- In the above written sentence, the word “itself” is an example of an intensive gender-neutral pronoun.
- It’s an intensive gender-neutral pronoun as it refers to the noun “cat” and their gender isn’t specified.
Intensive gender feminine pronouns
”Herself” is an intensive gender feminine pronoun.
It’s the only intensive gender feminine pronoun in the English Language.
Example- She bought herself a brand-new laptop.
- In the above written sentence, the word “herself” is an example of an intensive gender pronoun.
- It’s an intensive gender feminine pronoun as it refers to the other pronoun “she”.
Intensive gender masculine pronouns
”Himself” is an intensive gender masculine pronoun
It’s the only intensive gender male pronoun in the English Language.
Example- He brought all the piles of clothes down the stairs by himself.
- In the above written sentence, the word “himself” is an example of an intensive gender pronoun.
- It’s an intensive gender masculine pronoun as it refers to the noun “boy”.
Can demonstrative pronouns be gender specific
No, demonstrative pronouns cannot be gender specific.
Demonstrative pronouns only are used to point out to someone or something and are never an indicator of gender, whatsoever.
Example 1- This man has been helped me look for my lost keys.
- In the above written sentence, the word “this” is an example of a demonstrative pronoun.
- It is used in front of the noun “man”
- Hence we know that the person being referred to is masculine in nature.
- However, the pronoun “this” by itself does not in any way help one indicate the gender of the person being referred to over here.
Example 2- That lady over there has been sitting on the bench for hours.
- In the above written sentence, the word “that” is an example of a demonstrative pronoun.
- It is used in front of the noun “lady”
- Hence we know that the person being referred to is masculine in nature.
- However, the pronoun “that” by itself does not in any way help one indicate the gender of the person being referred to over here.
Intensive gender pronoun examples
- My brother drove a car by himself for the first time today.
- She fixed the broken fan herself without anyone else.
- The child himself confessed that he broke the plate.
- The mother gave her daughter the advice to always be herself.
- He always brings himself down when he doesn’t score good marks in tests.
- My sister herself dislikes the smell of soap.
- He gave himself a bruise by running so fast up the hill.
- The little baby cried herself to sleep as she wasn’t feeling well.
- They brought this bad situation upon themselves.
- The puppy was surprised to itself in the mirror.
Intensive gender pronoun explanations
1. My brother drove a car by himself for the first time today.
- In the above written sentence, the word “himself” is an example of an intensive gender pronoun.
- It’s an intensive gender masculine pronoun as it refers to the noun “brother”.
2. She fixed the broken fan herself without anyone else.
- In the above written sentence, the word “herself” is an example of an intensive gender pronoun.
- It’s an intensive gender feminine pronoun as it refers to the other pronoun “she”.
3. The child himself confessed that he broke the plate.
- In the above written sentence, the word “himself” is an example of an intensive gender pronoun.
- It’s an intensive gender masculine pronoun as it refers to the noun “child”.
- In this case, the noun does not indicate the gender of the person in question.
- However, the intensive pronoun “himself” helps in indicating the gender of the child.
4. The mother gave her daughter the advice to always be herself.
- In the above written sentence, the word “herself” is an example of an intensive gender pronoun.
- It’s an intensive gender feminine pronoun as it refers to the noun “mother”.
5. He always brings himself down when he doesn’t score good marks in tests.
- In the above written sentence, the word “himself” is an example of an intensive gender pronoun.
- It’s an intensive gender masculine pronoun as it refers to the noun “boy”.
6. My sister herself dislikes the smell of soap.
- In the above written sentence, the word “herself” is an example of an intensive gender pronoun.
- It’s an intensive gender feminine pronoun as it refers to the noun “sister”.
7. He gave himself a bruise by running so fast up the hill.
- In the above written sentence, the word “himself” is an example of an intensive gender pronoun.
- It’s an intensive gender masculine pronoun as it refers to the other pronoun “he”.
8. The little baby cried herself to sleep as she wasn’t feeling well.
- In the above written sentence, the word “herself” is an example of an intensive gender pronoun.
- It’s an intensive gender feminine pronoun as it refers to the other pronoun “baby”.
- In this case, the noun does not indicate the gender of the person in question.
- However, the intensive pronoun “herself” helps in indicating the gender of the baby.
9. They brought this bad situation upon themselves.
- In the above written sentence, the word “themselves” is an example of an intensive gender-neutral pronoun.
- It’s an intensive gender-neutral pronoun as it refers to the other pronoun “they” and their gender isn’t specified.
10. The puppy was surprised to itself in the mirror.
- In the above written sentence, the word “itself” is an example of an intensive gender-neutral pronoun.
- It’s an intensive gender-neutral pronoun as it refers to the noun “puppy” and their gender isn’t specified.
Conclusion
Hence, these are the few intensive gender specific pronouns that are used in the English Language on a frequent basis.
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