Extract:
Select the word that makes the following sentence grammatically correct.
It is important that one is able to self-motivate and work by ___________.
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A
oneself
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B
oneselves
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C
hisself
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D
themselves
The word "oneself" makes the sentence grammatically correct by providing the reflexive pronoun matching the indefinite pronoun "one."
A) oneself
"Oneself" is the reflexive pronoun corresponding to indefinite pronoun "one." Reflexive pronouns must match their antecedents in person and number—"one" requires "oneself" for grammatical agreement.
B) oneselves
"Oneselves" doesn't exist in standard English. The plural reflexive for "one" isn't formed by adding "-selves"; "one" is singular and takes only "oneself."
C) hisself
"Hisself" is nonstandard dialectal form—never accepted in formal English. The correct reflexive for "he" is "himself," but "one" requires "oneself," not a gendered pronoun.
D) themselves
"Themselves" is plural reflexive pronoun—incorrect number to match singular indefinite "one." While informal English sometimes uses "they/them/their" with singular antecedents, formal grammar requires "one/oneself" pairing.
Conclusion
Indefinite pronoun "one" requires corresponding reflexive "oneself" for grammatical agreement. No other reflexive form—standard or nonstandard—correctly matches "one" in formal English usage.