There are several verbs that require a [reflexive pronoun](#/lesson/Pronouns.Rf01): the so-called reflexive verbs. Examples are _zich herinneren_ (to recall), _zich verslapen_ (to oversleep), _zich vergissen_ (to be mistaken), and _zich ergeren_ to be annoyed).
_Zich verslapen_ (to oversleep):
Ik verslaap me. | wij verslapen ons
jij verslaapt je | jullie verslapen je
hij verslaapt zich | zij verslapen zich
The reflexive pronoun is always placed immediately after the FF, whether or not the finite verb is the reflexive verb that the reflexive pronoun relates to. That is, the reflexive verb may be part of the OV (at the very right side), but its pronoun will be placed immediately after the FF (left side).
_Zich herinneren_ (to recall):
[FF](#/lesson/WordOrder.04) | RP | [DIROB](#/lesson/WordOrder.16) | [MANNER](#/lesson/WordOrder.14) | [OV](#/lesson/WordOrder.24)
Ik kan | me | dat voorval | niet goed | herinneren
I cannot recall that incident very well
_Zich wassen_ (to wash oneself):
[FF](#/lesson/WordOrder.04) | RP | [TIME](#/lesson/WordOrder.13) | [MANNER](#/lesson/WordOrder.14) | [OV](#/lesson/WordOrder.24)
Hij heeft | zich | nog nooit | met zeep | gewassen
He has never washed himself with soap
_Zich wijden aan_ (to dedicate oneself to):
[FF](#/lesson/WordOrder.04) | RP | [MISC](#/lesson/WordOrder.28) | [OV](#/lesson/WordOrder.24)
Wij hebben | ons | aan het schrijven van een boek | gewijd
We have dedicated ourselves to writing a book.
In all the above examples, the reflexive pronoun relates to a reflexive verb in the OV. There are no reflexive auxiliary verbs, which means that the reflexive verb is always the independent verb in a clause. If there are any OV, the reflexive verb is inevitably part of it.
If we phrase the last example as a clause without OV, we will find that the reflexive pronoun immediately follows after the reflexive verb:
[FF](#/lesson/WordOrder.04) | RP | [MISC](#/lesson/WordOrder.28) | [OV](#/lesson/WordOrder.24)
We wijdden | ons | aan het schrijven van een boek | \-\-\-
We dedicated ourselves to writing a book.