Hello, I'm an expert in linguistics and I'd be happy to help clarify the use of reflexive pronouns in English. Let's dive into the details.
Reflexive pronouns are a subset of personal pronouns that are used when the subject and the object of a sentence refer to the same entity. They reflect the action of the verb back onto the subject. In English, reflexive pronouns are formed by adding a suffix to the personal pronoun. For example, "myself" is formed by adding "-self" to "I", "yourself" is formed by adding "-self" to "you", and so on.
Now, let's address the question at hand: Is "himself" a reflexive pronoun? The answer is yes, "himself" is indeed a reflexive pronoun. It is used when the subject and the object of a sentence are both male, third person singular. Let's look at some examples to illustrate this:

1. He dressed himself quickly for the party.
2. The artist painted himself into the corner of the mural.
3. The king awarded himself a medal for bravery.
In these examples, the subject (he, the artist, the king) is performing an action (dressed, painted, awarded) that is also directed back at the subject (himself). This is the defining characteristic of reflexive pronouns.
Now, let's address the statement provided: "A reflexive pronoun is always the object of a sentence; it can never be the subject." This statement is partially correct but can be misleading. While it's true that reflexive pronouns are often used as objects, they can also be used in other ways depending on the sentence structure. For example:

1. Himself, he was the last one to arrive at the party.
2. The book was written by himself.
In these sentences, "himself" is not the object but is used for emphasis or to specify that the action was performed by the subject alone. So, while reflexive pronouns are typically used as objects, they can also serve other functions in a sentence.
In conclusion, "himself" is a reflexive pronoun that is used when the subject and the object of a sentence refer to the same male, third person singular entity. Reflexive pronouns are often used as objects, but they can also be used in other ways depending on the sentence structure. Understanding the use of reflexive pronouns can greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in English.
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Other reflexive pronouns include himself, herself, yourself, itself, and themselves. A reflexive pronoun is always the object of a sentence; it can never be the subject.Feb 9, 2007read more >>