Reflexive Pronouns

[AnnVan]

Does anyone get annoyed by the abuse of the reflexive pronoun? Why do so many people seem to think that yourself, myself, himself, ourselves etc are 'polite' or posh ways of saying you, me, him, us etc. It just goes right through me! I used to work in a call centre for a while, and they all used to do this, even the managers - 'did you send your claim form in to ourselves?' or even once 'did yourself send that in to ourselves?' grrr. It honestly makes me cringe every time I hear it done. Anyone else??

[BellaBear]

I had to click on this to find out what a reflexive pronoun is . That's what comes of never learning any formal grammar.

It grates on me when someone says "I am X years of age". Why can't they just say "I am X years old"?

[AnnVan]

Bella - I'm from South Africa originally, and we were VERY thoroughly drilled in grammar. My English teacher was a very formidable lady from Northern Ireland, and no way did you cross her. Understand that grating - once again, people think it sounds more posh.

Other pet peeves? - Nucular instead of nuclear and brought for bought - Why?

[AnnVan]

Realise that I am in danger of sounding like Henry Higgins 'Why can't the English teach their children how to speak?'

[Tortington]

my dh - i can assure you is a v. intelligent person. he has a degree in politics and history.......but gets 'as' and 'has' mixed up

i really don't know how you can get them mixed up.

worked with the pet peeve tangetn rather than reflexive pronouns

[uberalice]

AnnVan, I'm with you on that one. Why won't people just keep it simple! Another one is the use of the word 'utilise' when 'use' would be more than adequate.

[AnnVan]

uberalice you're so right - my mum is the worst for this, but then I can't stand the way she's always putting on airs and graces anyway. Quite funny, because when we first moved to the UK (I was 14) people used to say 'ooh you're rait posh' (excuse attempt at accent spelling) whereas, I don't try to be posh, and hate it when people try to be by overcomplicating the way they speak.

Other pet peeves of mine include apostrophe usage, their and there, your and you're etc. Have realised that maybe I need to get a life
Although I used to go past a shop in London advertising 'cooker's, washer's, dryer's' EEEEEEEEKK. Used to make me twitch. Was so tempted to get off the bus and tell them to change it!!

[AMumInScotland]

There's a chap in the US who travels around with marker pens and stickers, and goes into shops and other businesses when he sees incorrect signs. He very politely asks their permission to change them, and neatly covers over any offending words, adds in the required apostrophes, etc.

If I win the lottery, I might start up my own little quest here...

[smartiejake]

I'd love to join you amuminscotland- can we make it a joint venture? My red pen positively quivers every time I drive past the local farm shop!

[foxytocin]

yes, the abuse of reflexive pronouns. It seems to me that everyone in England abuses it. I also spent a spell in the purgatory of a call centre. Letters from people in every segment of society abuses it.

What gets me 'oop north', don't know where else they say it is saying 'tret' instead of 'treated'. 'You tret me badly.' [grr]

[foxytocin]

erm, 'abuse it'

[AMumInScotland]

We should have an MN Pedants outing!

[AnnVan]

foxytocin - am right with you on 'tret' i lived in Sheffield for 8 years.

Do you know what else? I don't consider using correct grammar being pedantic at all! What's wrong with knowing how to speak and write your language??

It is strange though, hearing well educated people misusing reflexive pronouns. I know they're a slightly more obscure bit of grammar,but it really isn't that hard to master their use.