Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner12]

Hello, teachers!!

(1) I overslept so I was late for the meeting.
(2) I overslept myself so I was late for the meeting.
(3) The reason why he was late was that he had overslept.
(4) The reason why he was late was that he had overslept himself.
----->
Which can you use? I am not sure when I can use "oversleep -self."

Thank you in advance.

[myprofe]

The reflexive pronoun is not used in English when referring to activities that one normally does or activities that do not involve other people.

I go to bed
I sleep
I oversleep
I dream
I wake up
I eat
I drink
I walk
I run
I shower
I shave
I get lost

I hit myself
I hate myself
I kill myself
_________________
I'm never going to learn if you don't correct my mistakes!

[learner12]

Dear myprofe:

Thank you so much for your great explanations.

You mean: (2) and (3) are not acceptable in English???
(2) I overslept myself so I was late for the meeting.
(3) The reason why he was late was that he had overslept.

Thank you in advance.

[Philo Kevetch]

Hello Learner -

"I overslept 'myself' ....." could be used if someone else had overslept as well.

'I overslept myself' = I overslept too

same for 'himself'

'he had overslept himself' = he had overslept too


Hello Myprofe -

Would puncuation clarify the meaning/usage in the original examples?

'I overslept, myself' = I overslept, too

Philo

[Philo Kevetch]

anyone?