What defines a reflexive pronoun?

A reflexive pronoun is specifically defined by its ability to refer back to the subject of the sentence, and one of its key characteristics is that it ends in "self" or "selves." This suffix is a distinctive feature that helps identify reflexive pronouns, such as "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," "ourselves," "yourselves," and "themselves."

While reflexive pronouns do indeed clarify the meaning of a noun and cannot function as subjects, these characteristics alone do not uniquely define them. The defining trait is their specific structure, which directly links to their function in a sentence where they reflect back to the antecedent noun or pronoun. Thus, identifying reflexive pronouns through their unique endings— "self" or "selves"—is essential for understanding their grammatical role and usage in language.