Learn English with English, baby!

Join for FREE!

Social_nav_masthead_logged_in

English Forums

Use our English forums to learn English. The message boards are great for English questions and English answers. The more you contribute, the more all members can practice English!

:  

Ask Ebaby! Teachers Go Super!

Reflexive Pronoun-2

britdam007

britdam007

India

Reflexive pronouns are never used with verbs, keep, conceal, qualify, spread, rest, stay.


In the light of the above discussion, is it grammatically correct to say : I kept myself busy yesterday?


Best regards,


Abhishek


 

07:32 AM Feb 06 2015 |

The iTEP® test

  • Schedule an iTEP® test and take the official English Practice Test.

    Take Now >

Teacher AmySuper Member!

United States

Absolutely correct!


Amy

02:31 AM Feb 07 2015 |

britdam007

britdam007

India

So instead of saying “I kept myself busy” what should we use as the correct version? As we can’t use myself followed by keep?



Best regards,


Abhishek

06:45 AM Feb 07 2015 |

Teacher AmySuper Member!

United States

To say “I kept myself busy” is absolutely correct. It is also correct to say, “Don’t spread yourself too thin,” an expression that means “Don’t do too many things at once.” They are both used frequently in English, particularly the first one.


It’s true that we don’t use reflexive pronouns with conceal, qualify, rest, or stay, however.


Best,


Amy

03:54 PM Feb 07 2015 |