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High Plains Drifter · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 127 Location: Way Out There

�such as yourself� This isn�t an emphatic pronoun anyway. An emphatic pronoun would be �such as you, yourself�. What you wrote is an example of an extremely common but nonstandard use of reflexive pronouns.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

'Such as yourself' is given as an example of correct use in the CGEL, and there is no suggestion it is sub-standard.

"A University Grammar of English" by Quirk and Greenbaum, section 4.85, states "In variation with personal pronouns, reflexives often occur after ,as, like, but, except and in co-ordinated phrases. Again the examples do not suggest non-standard usage.

The American Heritage Dictionary tends to support the idea that the construction is best avoided:" The �self pronouns, such as myself, yourselves, and herself, are sometimes used as emphatic substitutes for personal pronouns, as in "Like yourself, I have no apologies to make". ..... Although these usages have been common in the writing of reputable authors for several centuries, they may sound overwrought". A significant majority of the usage panel disapproves of the usage, though that still leaves a sizeable minority which sees nothing wrong.

Combining the three sources given, I suspect this is another case where the construction is more acceptable in British English than in American English. I certainly have no objection to being in the same boat as "reputable authors for several centuries" and the two leading academic grammars of English - though if I were in the same boat as them I suspect they'd all put me down to bail out the water Smile

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

While you're lurking, try learning to write.

Maybe that would allow you to communicate, instead of launching your snide gobbledegook from the sidelines.

Zero Hero · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 944

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Moonraven is not a THEY, so could not have dedicated THEIR life to education. She is singular.

Twinkle, twinkle illiterate troll--and while you are at it, look up the difference between singular and plural personal pronouns and adjectives.

Zero Hero · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 944

Actually, as all other posters will fully know, I employed "their" as I do not know your gender. It is a gender-neutral pronoun.

Besides, I do not necessarily believe you are female anymore than I necessarily believe you are a published polyglot Native American 60s-survivor dissident PhD.