Question

Select an appropriate pronoun to fill in the blank.
They had a great time. They really enjoyed ________.
A. Ourselves
B. Themselves
C. Himself
D. Itself

Answer 1

Hint: A pronoun is a word that is used in place of a noun in a phrase that contains a noun. We use pronouns to reduce the repetitive use of nouns in a long phrase, passage or any other piece of writing. When the subject and the object of a sentence is the same person or thing, we use reflexive pronouns. Example: I bought a dress for myself. We look for such an option which is a reflexive pronoun of the subject ‘they’.

Complete answer:
Let us analyse each option individually in detail to figure out the correct option with the help of the above stated hint.
Ourselves: This is the reflexive pronoun of plural first person. Example: We need to carry our bags ourselves. Therefore, this is not the correct option.

Themselves: This is the reflexive pronoun of the subject ‘they’ in the given sentence. Therefore, this is the correct option.

Himself: This is the reflexive pronoun of singular third person. Example: He ate by himself. Therefore, this is not the correct option.

Itself: This is the reflexive pronoun of singular third person. Example: It will heal itself. Therefore, this is not the correct option.

Hence, the correct answer is option ‘B’.

Note: Reflexive pronouns help in avoiding confusion, they end in -self or -selves.There are nine reflexive pronouns: yourself, myself, herself, himself, oneself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves.If the object of a preposition refers to a previous noun or pronoun, we use a reflexive pronoun. Example: I will complete the project myself. I don’t need any help.