Object-controlled reflexives (sin, sitt, sina)

Logical subjects in infinitive clauses

You already know that the possessive reflexives sin, sitt, and sina ("his/her/its/their own") refer back to the subject of the sentence.

However, when you use an infinitive clause to talk about someone else doing an action—such as instructing or asking a colleague to do a task—the object of the main clause becomes the logical subject of the infinitive clause.

Object-controlled reflexives

If sin, sitt, or sina appears inside an infinitive clause, it refers back to this logical subject (the object of the main sentence), NOT the main grammatical subject.

In the sentence above:

• Main subject: Chefen (The boss)
• Object / Logical subject: honom (him)
• Infinitive clause: att granska sin dokumentation

Because honom is the one actually performing the action of the infinitive verb (granska), he is the logical subject. Therefore, sin refers to him—he is reviewing his own documentation, not the boss's.

Plurals and verbs of delegation

This rule applies whether the object is singular (honom, henne) or plural (dem). It is extremely common with verbs of delegation, instruction, and permission, such as ber (ask), uppmanar (urge), tvingar (force), instruerar (instruct), and låter (let).