Is the use of reflexive form correct in the following sentences?
[i]1. He is only five years and two months older than myself.
I think, I would have, in the case of the first sentence, said, “I (am)” (if I wanted to sound ultra formal), or just “me”. Similarly, in the second sentence, I would have substituted “[b]she /b” or “her” for “herself”.
Do you think I am right?
Hi,
I would use I am/she is but I believe all three versions are correct.
1. He is only five years and two months older than myself/I am/me.
2. A man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself/she is/her.
I am not a native speaker of English, though.
Hi
Base on what I have learnt, I wouldn’t use reflexive pronouns in your examples. ( I am not sure 100% my answer is correct, I hope one of our teachers leaves a comment)
Unless I really wanted to focus on what I was saying/writing, I’d probably use ‘me’ for the first and ‘she is’ for the second.
Hi Beeesneees,
May I ask what you meant by that? I am not sure I understand the part that I have underlined. Is it that ‘‘me’’ and ‘‘she is’’ are the choices that come to your mind most naturaly/without giving it too much thought?
Is it wrong to use the reflexive forms this way, then? I am pretty sure I have heard native speakers use them similarly.
Thanks
“Than” acts as a preposition in such as “than me” whereas as a conjunction in such as “than I” and “then I am”. “Myself” is used for emphasizing “me”. They are all correct grammatically and all ready to be called into a comfortable context.
Your understanding of the underlined part seems to be spot on, Cristina, yes.
I don’t think use of the reflexive forms is wrong - they just wouldn’t be my first instinct when speaking/writing informally.
Thank you Beeesneees,
I am glad to find out that my understanding of your explanation was right and that my memory has not failed me with regard to the use of the reflexive forms.
Thank you Beeesneees