Reflexive Pronouns in French

This section explains reflexive pronouns in French and includes tips for students studying foundation and higher tiers.

Introduction to Reflexive Pronouns

Reflexive pronouns are used when the subject and the object of the verb are the same, meaning that the action is performed by the subject on itself. These pronouns are essential for reflexive verbs, which describe actions that people do to themselves.

List of Reflexive Pronouns

How to Use Reflexive Pronouns

Reflexive pronouns are used with reflexive verbs, where the action of the verb reflects back on the subject. The reflexive pronoun agrees with the subject of the sentence and is placed before the verb.

• Example 1:
  Je me lève à sept heures. (I get up at seven o'clock.)
  Me is the reflexive pronoun referring to the subject je (I), meaning the action is done by me.
• Example 2:
  Elle se maquille chaque matin. (She puts on makeup every morning.)
  Se is the reflexive pronoun referring to elle (she), meaning the action is done by her.
• Example 3:
  Nous nous couchons tard. (We go to bed late.)
  Nous is the reflexive pronoun referring to nous (we), meaning the action is done by us.

Placement of Reflexive Pronouns

• In affirmative sentences, the reflexive pronoun comes before the verb:
  • Je me repose. (I rest.)
• In negative sentences, the reflexive pronoun is placed between ne and pas:
  • Je ne me repose pas. (I don’t rest.)
• In commands (imperative form), the reflexive pronoun is placed after the verb and connected with a hyphen:
  • Lève-toi ! (Get up!)

Higher Tier Examples:

For higher-tier students, reflexive verbs can be used in more complex sentence structures, including compound tenses (such as the passé composé), where the past participle must agree with the subject if the reflexive verb is direct.

• Example 1 (passé composé):
  Elle s'est levée tôt ce matin. (She got up early this morning.)
  S'est is the reflexive pronoun used with the verb être in the passé composé. The past participle levée agrees with elle (feminine singular).
• Example 2 (passé composé):
  Ils se sont amusés à la fête. (They had fun at the party.)
  Se sont is the reflexive pronoun, and amusés agrees with ils (masculine plural).
• Example 3 (negative passé composé):
  Je ne me suis pas levé tôt. (I didn’t get up early.)
  In negative passé composé, the reflexive pronoun me is placed between ne and suis.

Reflexive Verbs and Their Meanings

Some verbs in French are always reflexive, meaning that the action is always performed on oneself. These are known as pronominal verbs.

• Example 1:
  Se laver (to wash oneself)
  Je me lave. (I wash myself.)
• Example 2:
  Se réveiller (to wake up)
  Tu te réveilles tôt. (You wake up early.)
• Example 3:
  S’habiller (to get dressed)
  Elle s'habille rapidement. (She gets dressed quickly.)
• Example 4:
  Se dépêcher (to hurry)
  Nous nous dépêchons pour ne pas être en retard. (We hurry so as not to be late.)

Key Notes for GCSE:

• Reflexive verbs are often used to describe daily routines, personal care, and actions that you do to yourself.
• In compound tenses like the passé composé, reflexive verbs are conjugated with the auxiliary verb être, not avoir. The past participle agrees with the subject if the reflexive verb is direct (i.e., the action is done to oneself).
• Reflexive pronouns are placed directly before the verb in affirmative sentences, between ne and pas in negative sentences, and after the verb in commands.

Reflexive Pronouns with Different Tenses:

• In the Present Tense:
  Reflexive pronouns are always placed before the verb.
  Exemple: Je me couche à 22 heures. (I go to bed at 10 PM.)
• In the Imperfect Tense:
  Reflexive pronouns are still placed before the verb in the same way.
  Exemple: Il se réveillait toujours à 7 heures. (He always woke up at 7 o'clock.)
• In Future Tense:
  Reflexive pronouns are placed before the conjugated verb.
  Exemple: Je vais me lever tôt demain. (I’m going to get up early tomorrow.)

Quick Recap:

• Reflexive pronouns include me, te, se, nous, vous, and se.
• They are used with reflexive verbs to indicate that the subject is doing the action to itself.
• Reflexive pronouns are placed before the verb, and in compound tenses, the past participle agrees with the subject if the verb is direct.
• Reflexive verbs are commonly used to describe daily actions or routines.

These notes provide a comprehensive overview of reflexive pronouns in French, with foundation and higher-tier examples to help you practise and understand their use in various contexts. Mastering reflexive pronouns will help you express actions related to yourself and others effectively in French.