Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[jays]

Are myself and himself in the sentences in the following correct? If correct, what do they mean?
------------- the following ----------

Jerry called me myself last night.
I want to talk to Mr. Lee himself.

[pugachevV]

I think you are looking for the following:
Jerry called me himself last night.
Or, Jerry himself called me last night.
These sentences mean that Jerry, rather than Jerry's wife, secretary or executive assistant called me last night.

I want to talk to Mr. Lee himself, means that I want to speak to Mr. Lee face to face, or over the phone. I do not want to speak to his secretary, his wife, or his executive assistant, or anybody but Mr. Lee.

I want to talk to Mr. Lee myself means that I want to speak to Mr. Lee in person.
Your assistant may already have talked to Mr. Lee, but you may have questions that only Mr. Lee can answer, or it may be something confidential that only you and Mr. Lee can discuss.

I myself want to talk to Mr. Lee. This construction is used to stress the fact that you want to talk to Mr. Lee, rather than anybody from your organisation.