Structures with accusative anddative objects
In structures where the reflexive verb occurs with an accusative and dative
object, the reflexive pronoun is usually in the dative:Ich habe mir(dat.)den Rücken (acc.)verletzt.
I’ve hurt my back.Ich ziehe mir(dat.)den Mantel (acc.)an.
I put on my coat.Wasch dir(dat.)bitte die Hände! (acc.)
Wash your hands, please!Wir haben uns(dat.)die Zähne(acc.)geputzt.
We (have) cleaned our teeth.As shown in these examples, in English these structures usually use a
possessive adjective (‘my’, ‘your’ etc.) instead of a reflexive pronoun.Position of the reflexive pronoun
If the subject is a noun
If the subject is a noun, the reflexive pronoun usually appears afterthe
finite verb:Seine kleine Schwester interessiert sichfür Rapmusik.
His younger sister is interested in rap music.In a subordinate clause the reflexive pronoun usually comes beforethe
subject:Es ist klar, dass sich Claudiaentschuldigen muss.
It is clear that Claudia has to apologise.If the subject is a personal pronoun
If the subject is a personal pronoun the reflexive pronoun often appears
afterthesubject:Gestern hat sie sichvon dem Schrecken erholt.
She recovered from the shock yesterday.46 Unit 6: Reflexive verbs