A sentence/a part of the sentence is underlined. Alternatives are given to the underlined part which will improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative and click the button corresponding to it. In case no improvement is needed, click the button corresponding to ''No improvement.' Rajiv always shaved himself before going out in the evening.?

Option 3 : always shaved before

The correct answer is always shaved before

• The reflexive pronouns are:
  • singular  MYSELF - YOURSELF - HIMSELF / HERSELF / ITSELF
  • plural  OURSELVES - YOURSELVES - THEMSELVES
• These forms are used with transitive verbs when the subject and the object are the same person (when the person doing the action and receiving the action are the same)
  • I cut bread = I cut // the bread is cut
  •  I cut myself = I cut // I was cut
• Many verbs are used in the reflexive form in other languages, but not in English.
  • This morning I didn't shave (we don't say: I shaved myself, but simply, I shaved)
  • I sat on the sofa (you can: say I sat myself, but it sounds very formal or old-fashioned)
  • She got dressed (not: she dressed herself)
  • I woke up (not: I woke myself up)
  • I fell down (not: I fell myself down, because the verb "to fall" is not transitive, so it has no object, so it can't use a reflexive form)
• Thus, in the given sentence 'shave' should not be followed by a reflexive pronoun.

The correct sentence is: Rajiv always shaved before going out in the evening.

Mistake Points

• But these transitive verbs which do not normally use reflexive forms, can use it when we need to make clear who is doing what to whom
  • Barbers shave people who don't want to shave themselves (if you don't say "themselves", the object of that second "shave" is not clear)
  • She is old enough to dress herself
  • He can't bend his knees, so he can't sit himself down, he needs help.