Literary notes about Reflexive (AI summary)
The word "reflexive" is frequently used to describe a self-referential action or construction in language, as seen when a subject acts upon itself—as in “the man sees himself” ([1], [2]). Discussions of reflexive forms extend beyond simple self-reference to include grammatical nuances such as deponents, passive substitutions, and reciprocal actions ([3], [4], [5]). In various languages—from Latin and Spanish to Esperanto and Greek—reflexive constructions, whether in verbs or possessive adjectives, are analyzed for their ability to reinforce the connection between a subject and its action, highlighting both their structural function and stylistic impact ([6], [7], [8]). Additionally, some texts delve into how these forms sometimes serve more abstractly, offering redundancy or emphasis within poetic and narrative contexts ([9], [10]).
- Compare Homō sē videt , the man sees himself (reflexive)
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - 3. Reflexive pronouns , used in the predicate to refer back to the subject; as, he saw himself .
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - Reciprocal , action, deponents expressing, 1487 , see Reflexive ; pron., place taken by inter nōs .
— from A Latin Grammar for Schools and Colleges by George Martin Lane - of, in reflexive sense, 1482 ; gerund of, in reflexive sense, 1482 ; deponents, 1487 ; with acc., 1148 . Reizianus versus , 2625 , 2626 .
— from A Latin Grammar for Schools and Colleges by George Martin Lane - ↑ 18 The only exception is in reflexive action, where the object is a compound personal pronoun (“Charles deceived himself ”).
— from An Advanced English Grammar with Exercises by Frank Edgar Farley and George Lyman Kittredge - c. Suus is a reflexive possessive, that is, it usually stands in the predicate and regularly refers back to the subject .
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - Ipse must be carefully distinguished from the reflexive suī .
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - Reflexive possessive adjectives, like the reflexive pronoun, refer to the subject of the verb in the sentence.
— from A Complete Grammar of Esperanto by Ivy Kellerman Reed - The savant leaned against the bench, trying to still the reflexive trembling of his body.
— from The Time Mirror by Clark South - The reflexive is frequently used as a substitute for the passive.
— from Novelas Cortas by Pedro Antonio de Alarcón