Reflexive pronouns, words like myself yourself herself, tend not to contain the tonic of the intonation pattern. Here are some examples (tonic underlined):
I can’t help myself. |
Alternative sound |
I hope he hasn’t hurt himself. | Alternative sound |
However, the same words can be used as emphatic pronouns, in which case they nearly always do contain the nucleus:
Do it yourself. | Alternative sound |
They’ll have to decide for themselves. | Alternative sound |
Notice that it is the –self or –selves part that is the tonic syllable in these cases.
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