Reflexive verbs show up constantly in English, but most learners don't realize they're using them. You know what I mean verbs like "enjoy yourself" or "pride yourself" where the action comes back to the person doing it.

Here's the thing: English handles reflexive verbs differently than languages like Spanish or French. We don't use them as much, and sometimes we skip the reflexive pronoun entirely. But when we do use them, they matter. Getting them right makes you sound natural and fluent.

Ready to see which ones you already know and which ones might surprise you? Let's get started.

Understanding Reflexive Verbs First

Before jumping into the list, here's what you need to know. A reflexive verb pairs with a reflexive pronoun (myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves). The action reflects back to the subject.

Quick example: "I hurt myself" means I caused my own injury. The subject (I) and the object (myself) are the same person.

Some verbs need the reflexive pronoun. Others work fine without it but add emphasis when you include it. You'll notice the difference as we go through the list.

The 50 Reflexive Verbs

1. Enjoy yourself

Meaning: Have a good time

Examples:

  • Did you enjoy yourself at the party last night?
  • We really enjoyed ourselves on vacation.
  • Enjoy yourself! You deserve a break.

Memory trick: This one's almost automatic. When you wish someone well, you say "enjoy yourself" not just "enjoy."

2. Help yourself

Meaning: Serve yourself food or drink; take what you need

Examples:

  • Help yourself to some coffee.
  • There's pizza in the kitchen help yourselves!
  • She helped herself to another slice of cake.

Pattern note: Common in hospitality situations. Sounds polite and welcoming.

3. Teach yourself

Meaning: Learn something without a teacher

Examples:

  • I taught myself how to play guitar.
  • You can teach yourself basic coding online.
  • He's teaching himself Spanish through apps.

Memory trick: Self-education = teach yourself. Pretty straightforward.

4. Behave yourself

Meaning: Act properly; follow rules

Examples:

  • Behave yourself while I'm gone!
  • The kids didn't behave themselves at the restaurant.
  • Try to behave yourself during the meeting.

Pattern note: Often used with children, but works for adults too (usually joking).

5. Express yourself

Meaning: Communicate your feelings or ideas

Examples:

  • Art helps people express themselves.
  • Don't be afraid to express yourself in class.
  • She expressed herself clearly during the interview.

Memory trick: Think of "self-expression" in art and music.

6. Introduce yourself

Meaning: Tell someone your name and basic information

Examples:

  • Please introduce yourself to the group.
  • He introduced himself as the new manager.
  • I forgot to introduce myself I'm Sarah.

Pattern note: Essential for first meetings and networking.

7. Pride yourself on

Meaning: Be proud of a particular quality or skill

Examples:

  • She prides herself on being punctual.
  • I pride myself on my attention to detail.
  • They pride themselves on excellent customer service.

Memory trick: Always followed by "on" + what you're proud of.

8. Blame yourself

Meaning: Hold yourself responsible for something bad

Examples:

  • Don't blame yourself for the mistake.
  • He blamed himself for the accident.
  • You shouldn't blame yourself it wasn't your fault.

Pattern note: Can be unhealthy if overdone, but sometimes appropriate.

9. Excuse yourself

Meaning: Politely leave or ask permission to go

Examples:

  • She excused herself from the table.
  • May I excuse myself for a moment?
  • He excused himself early from the meeting.

Memory trick: Formal and polite. Think "excuse me" but as a verb.

10. Prepare yourself

Meaning: Get ready mentally or physically

Examples:

  • Prepare yourself for some bad news.
  • You need to prepare yourself for the interview.
  • They're preparing themselves for a long journey.

Pattern note: Often followed by "for" + what's coming.

11. Hurt yourself

Meaning: Injure yourself

Examples:

  • Be careful not to hurt yourself with that knife.
  • I hurt myself playing basketball.
  • Did you hurt yourself when you fell?

Memory trick: Physical or emotional pain you cause yourself.

12. Kill yourself

Meaning: (Informal) Overwork; make extreme effort; literal suicide

Examples:

  • Don't kill yourself trying to finish today. (overwork)
  • You're killing yourself with all this stress. (harm through overwork)
  • Take a break you'll kill yourself working these hours.

Pattern note: Context matters! Usually means overworking, but can be literal.

13. Distinguish yourself

Meaning: Stand out in a positive way

Examples:

  • She distinguished herself as a top performer.
  • He distinguished himself during the competition.
  • You can distinguish yourself through hard work.

Memory trick: Make yourself distinct/different from others.

14. Convince yourself

Meaning: Make yourself believe something

Examples:

  • I convinced myself it was the right decision.
  • She's trying to convince herself she doesn't care.
  • Don't convince yourself of something that isn't true.

Pattern note: Often involves self-deception or positive thinking.

15. Dedicate yourself to

Meaning: Commit fully to something

Examples:

  • He dedicated himself to improving his skills.
  • She dedicated herself to helping others.
  • You need to dedicate yourself to your goals.

Memory trick: Always "dedicate yourself TO" something specific.

16. Find yourself

Meaning: Discover your identity or purpose; end up somewhere

Examples:

  • College is a time to find yourself.
  • I found myself thinking about her constantly. (end up)
  • He went traveling to find himself.

Pattern note: Can be literal (location) or philosophical (identity).

17. Lose yourself in

Meaning: Become completely absorbed or immersed

Examples:

  • I lost myself in the music.
  • She loses herself in her work.
  • It's easy to lose yourself in a good book.

Memory trick: So focused you forget everything else.

18. Prove yourself

Meaning: Show your ability or worth

Examples:

  • This is your chance to prove yourself.
  • She proved herself as a capable leader.
  • You don't need to prove yourself to anyone.

Pattern note: Common in work and competitive situations.

19. Control yourself

Meaning: Manage your emotions or impulses

Examples:

  • Control yourself! Don't say something you'll regret.
  • I couldn't control myself and started laughing.
  • He needs to learn to control himself better.

Memory trick: Self-control = controlling yourself.

20. Remind yourself

Meaning: Make yourself remember something

Examples:

  • Remind yourself to call her tomorrow.
  • I have to remind myself to take breaks.
  • She reminded herself why she started.

Pattern note: Often followed by "to" + action or "that" + statement.

21. Treat yourself

Meaning: Do something nice for yourself

Examples:

  • You worked hard treat yourself!
  • I treated myself to a spa day.
  • He treats himself to ice cream every Friday.

Memory trick: Self-care and rewards. Always positive.

22. Talk to yourself

Meaning: Speak aloud when alone

Examples:

  • Do you ever talk to yourself?
  • I was talking to myself while cooking.
  • She talks to herself when she's concentrating.

Pattern note: Normal behavior, not a sign of problems!

23. Laugh at yourself

Meaning: Find humor in your own mistakes

Examples:

  • It's important to laugh at yourself sometimes.
  • He can laugh at himself, which is nice.
  • Don't take life so seriously laugh at yourself!

Memory trick: Good sense of humor about your own flaws.

24. See yourself

Meaning: Imagine yourself in a situation; view your reflection

Examples:

  • Can you see yourself living abroad?
  • I saw myself in the mirror and was surprised.
  • She sees herself as a future doctor.

Pattern note: Can be literal (mirror) or figurative (imagine).

25. Picture yourself

Meaning: Imagine yourself in a scenario

Examples:

  • Picture yourself on a beach somewhere.
  • I can't picture myself doing that job.
  • Picture yourself succeeding it helps with motivation.

Memory trick: Create a mental picture of yourself.

26. Apply yourself

Meaning: Work hard and focus

Examples:

  • If you apply yourself, you can pass the exam.
  • She applied herself and saw great results.
  • He needs to apply himself more in school.

Pattern note: Often used by teachers and parents!

27. Protect yourself

Meaning: Keep yourself safe

Examples:

  • Protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen.
  • You need to protect yourself from scams.
  • They protected themselves during the storm.

Memory trick: Self-protection. Always followed by "from" + danger.

28. Distance yourself from

Meaning: Create space (physical or emotional) from someone/something

Examples:

  • She distanced herself from toxic friends.
  • He's trying to distance himself from the scandal.
  • I need to distance myself from this situation.

Pattern note: Always "distance yourself FROM" something.

29. Familiarize yourself with

Meaning: Learn about something; become comfortable with it

Examples:

  • Please familiarize yourself with the safety procedures.
  • I need to familiarize myself with the new software.
  • Take time to familiarize yourself with the area.

Memory trick: Make something familiar = familiarize yourself with it.

30. Discipline yourself

Meaning: Force yourself to work hard or behave properly

Examples:

  • You have to discipline yourself to exercise regularly.
  • She disciplined herself to save money.
  • Discipline yourself to wake up early.

Pattern note: Self-discipline in action form.

31. Overwork yourself

Meaning: Work too hard; exhaust yourself with work

Examples:

  • Don't overwork yourself or you'll burn out.
  • She overworked herself before the deadline.
  • You're overworking yourself take a break!

Memory trick: Over = too much work for yourself.

32. Exhaust yourself

Meaning: Make yourself extremely tired

Examples:

  • Don't exhaust yourself on the first day.
  • I exhausted myself at the gym.
  • They exhausted themselves hiking all day.

Pattern note: Physical or mental tiredness you caused.

33. Limit yourself to

Meaning: Restrict yourself to a certain amount

Examples:

  • Try to limit yourself to one coffee per day.
  • She limits herself to 30 minutes of social media.
  • I'm limiting myself to healthy snacks.

Memory trick: Always "limit yourself TO" + specific amount.

34. Commit yourself to

Meaning: Dedicate yourself; promise to do something

Examples:

  • He committed himself to finishing the project.
  • Commit yourself to your goals.
  • She committed herself to volunteer work.

Pattern note: Similar to "dedicate yourself to" but stronger.

35. Adapt yourself to

Meaning: Adjust to new conditions

Examples:

  • You'll need to adapt yourself to the new schedule.
  • She adapted herself quickly to college life.
  • Adapt yourself to different working styles.

Memory trick: Change yourself to fit the situation.

36. Busy yourself with

Meaning: Keep yourself occupied doing something

Examples:

  • He busied himself with small tasks.
  • I busied myself cooking while waiting.
  • She busied herself with reading.

Pattern note: Slightly formal. Means keeping active.

37. Content yourself with

Meaning: Accept and be satisfied with something

Examples:

  • I had to content myself with second place.
  • She contented herself with a simple meal.
  • Content yourself with small victories.

Memory trick: Make yourself content (satisfied) with what you have.

38. Challenge yourself

Meaning: Test your abilities; push yourself

Examples:

  • Always challenge yourself to grow.
  • She challenges herself with difficult projects.
  • Challenge yourself to learn something new.

Pattern note: Positive self-improvement focus.

39. Better yourself

Meaning: Improve yourself

Examples:

  • Education helps you better yourself.
  • He's always trying to better himself.
  • Read books to better yourself.

Memory trick: Make yourself better. Simple as that.

40. Compose yourself

Meaning: Calm down; regain control of emotions

Examples:

  • Take a minute to compose yourself.
  • She composed herself before speaking.
  • I need a moment to compose myself.

Pattern note: Used when someone is upset or flustered.

41. Restrain yourself

Meaning: Hold yourself back from doing something

Examples:

  • I had to restrain myself from laughing.
  • Restrain yourself don't eat all the cookies!
  • She restrained herself from arguing.

Memory trick: Self-restraint = restraining yourself.

42. Pace yourself

Meaning: Control your speed; don't rush

Examples:

  • Pace yourself during the marathon.
  • You need to pace yourself or you'll get tired.
  • I'm learning to pace myself at work.

Pattern note: Common in sports and long-term projects.

43. Push yourself

Meaning: Force yourself to work harder

Examples:

  • Push yourself to reach your potential.
  • She pushes herself every day at the gym.
  • Don't be afraid to push yourself.

Memory trick: Physical or mental effort beyond comfort zone.

44. Isolate yourself

Meaning: Separate yourself from others

Examples:

  • Don't isolate yourself when you're sad.
  • He isolated himself during the pandemic.
  • Try not to isolate yourself from friends.

Pattern note: Can be voluntary or involuntary.

45. Position yourself

Meaning: Place yourself strategically

Examples:

  • Position yourself near the exit.
  • She positioned herself as an expert.
  • You need to position yourself for success.

Pattern note: Physical location or career/social standing.

46. Avail yourself of

Meaning: Take advantage of; use an opportunity

Examples:

  • Please avail yourself of the resources.
  • He availed himself of the scholarship.
  • Avail yourself of this opportunity.

Memory trick: Very formal. Mostly used in writing or formal speech.

47. Concern yourself with

Meaning: Worry about; pay attention to

Examples:

  • Don't concern yourself with what others think.
  • She concerns herself with details.
  • You shouldn't concern yourself with gossip.

Pattern note: Often used in negative (don't concern yourself).

48. Absent yourself from

Meaning: Stay away from; not attend

Examples:

  • He absented himself from the meeting.
  • Why did you absent yourself from class?
  • She absented herself from the discussion.

Memory trick: Formal way to say you made yourself absent.

49. Seat yourself

Meaning: Sit down (formal)

Examples:

  • Please seat yourself anywhere.
  • He seated himself at the head of the table.
  • Seat yourself comfortably.

Pattern note: More formal than "sit down." Common in restaurants.

50. Brace yourself

Meaning: Prepare for something difficult or unpleasant

Examples:

  • Brace yourself I have bad news.
  • Brace yourself for impact!
  • You should brace yourself for a long wait.

Memory trick: Physical or emotional preparation for something tough.

Practice Time

Now let's see how well you absorbed these verbs. Try these exercises without looking back at the list.

Fill in the Blanks

Complete each sentence with the correct reflexive verb:

  1. She __ to another slice of pizza without asking.
  2. I need to __ for the difficult conversation ahead.
  3. Don't __ for things beyond your control.
  4. He __ as the new director of the department.
  5. You should __ with the company policies before starting.
  6. I __ thinking about that movie all day.
  7. She __ before giving her speech.
  8. Try to __ during the race or you'll get tired.
  9. He __ on his honesty and integrity.
  10. Please __ to coffee and snacks in the break room.

Answers: 1. helped herself 2. brace/prepare myself 3. blame yourself 4. introduced himself 5. familiarize yourself 6. found myself 7. composed herself 8. pace yourself 9. prides himself 10. help yourself/yourselves

Sentence Building

Create your own sentences using these reflexive verbs:

  1. Express yourself
  2. Challenge yourself
  3. Protect yourself
  4. Distance yourself from
  5. Lose yourself in

Wrapping Up

You just worked through 50 reflexive verbs that's a solid foundation! Most learners stumble on these because they sound more natural than they look written down. The key is hearing them in context and using them yourself.

Start small. Pick five verbs from this list that feel useful for your daily life. Practice them in real conversations or write a few sentences using them. Once those feel automatic, add five more.

Don't worry if this feels new at first. Reflexive verbs become second nature with practice. You'll spot them everywhere now in movies, podcasts, articles. Pay attention when native speakers use them, and pretty soon you'll be using them just as naturally.

Keep practicing, and remember: the best way to master these is to actually use them. So go ahead challenge yourself, express yourself, and most of all, enjoy yourself while learning!