FaithWriters.com-Christian Writers Forum

Microsoft Word says this sentence is incorrect:

Laurie wrapped the blanket tighter around herself, hoping to block the cold air.

"Herself" seems to be in question. Is it used correctly in this context? Or no?

I'm not a big fan of MS Word's grammar checker. In your sentence, herself is a reflexive pronoun--it refers back to the subject of the sentence (Laurie). It's fine the way you've written it.

No grammar checkers are perfect, but I've downloaded Grammarly, and it's a much better grammar checker. Still, it makes occasional errors. You were correct to double-check with a real human (and I hope Ann will see this and agree with me).

The MS grammar check is a complete waste of time and memory space.

Thanks for the help. I agree, redbaron. But I wanted to double check because you never know!

Coming late to the party.

In agreement with Shari and Jan.

What I do, when in doubt (of either the grammar checker or myself), is re-write the sentence to avoid using whatever I'm second-guessing.

Laurie wrapped the blanket tighter around herself, hoping to block the cold air.

Laurie wrapped the blanket tighter around her shoulders, hoping to block the cold air.

Laurie hunched under the blanket, pulling it tighter, hoping to block the cold air.

Ann wrote:What I do, when in doubt (of either the grammar checker or myself), is re-write the sentence to avoid using whatever I'm second-guessing.

LOVE this advice and the examples! They add new meaning to "creative" writing.

Lillian