Grammar

Prepositions of place refer to a location of something. They answer the question ‘where’. Take a look at these prepositions of place:

Above — over or higher than

There was a mirror above his head.

Below — in a lower level

The temperature dropped to 10 degrees below zero last night.

Beside — near, at the side of

Our house was built right beside the park.

Next to — right beside, close to

The building next to ours was painted green.

(In) between — in the space that separates two places, people, or objects

The child was sitting between his parents.

In front of –– before of someone or something

Susan was waiting in front of the restaurant.

Behind — at the back of

Paul sat behind Alice.

At – next to

The students were sitting at their desks.

On – in a position above and touching it

There are some books on the shelf.

In — inside

There were two apples in a bowl.

Inside — within a space

They put a kitten inside the basket.

Outside — not inside

It is raining outside.

On top of — over, upon

There was a vase on top of the fridge.

Over – directly above

 He put his hands over his head.

Under — below

A dog hid under the bed.

Underneath — directly below

She put her bag underneath the chair.

The reflexive pronouns are:
Singular: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself

Plural: ourselves, yourselves, themselves

Reflexive pronouns are used after certain verbs such as: cut, burn, enjoy, hurt, look at, amuse, dry, kill, satisfy, teach, etc. We use them when the subject and the object of the verb are the same person.

I made myself a salad.

He cut himself while shaving.

Enjoy yourselves!

We are looking at ourselves in the mirror.

Notice the difference between yourself and yourselves:

Milly, you can hurt yourself with this sharp knife.

Rebecca and Alex, you can hurt yourselves.

We do not use reflexive pronouns after the verbs relax, feel, concentrate, meet.

I feel nervous. I can’t concentrate. (not I can’t concentrate myself).

Shall we meet at 5 o’clock? (not shall we meet ourselves)

Reflexive prepositions cannot be used after a preposition of place. We normally use object pronouns after them.

I don’t have my telephone with me.

He saw a man standing next to him.

We can use BY to emphasize that the subject of the verb did something alone.

I cleaned the house by myself.

Mary travelled to Turkey all by herself.

Take a look at these expressions with reflexive pronouns:

Enjoy yourselves at the party!

Start behaving yourselves, children!

Make yourself at home!

Help yourself to a drink!

Exercise:

Fill in the gaps with the appropriate pronoun:

1. Norman is looking at _________ in the mirror.
2. I can’t pay for_______. Would you lend me some money?
3. Oliver and Terry had to amuse _______ while their mother was in the kitchen.
4. I’m so sorry I didn’t bring my camera with ______.
5. If you want to succeed, you must believe in _______.
6. We enjoyed _______ at the party last night.
7. Laura is drying ______ with a towel.
8. The cat is licking ________.
9. Our children prepared lunch __________.
10. I could never do it ________!

Key: 1.himself, 2. myself, 3. themselves, 4. me, 5. yourself, 6. ourselves, 7. herself, 8. itself, 9. by themselves, 10. by myself