Adjectives and pronouns: possessive


Introduction

We use possessive adjectives and pronouns to describe ownership (who owns what).

possessive adjective: possessive pronoun:
Subject   possessive adjective   possessive pronoun  
I my mine
you (singular and plural) your your
she her hers
he his his
it its -*
we our ours
they their theirs
* note there is no possessive pronoun for "it".

Part 1: possessive adjectives

Where we use possessive adjectives, they are always used before a noun:
possessive adjective + noun.

Examples

Practice

Complete the sentences with the correct possessive adjective for the subject in brackets:
.
1)
How big is    family. (you)

 
2)
They are    parents. (I)

 
3)
Please come to    party. (we)

 
4)
Those aren't    shoes. (he)

 

Part 2: possessive pronouns

We use possessive pronouns to describe ownership when the noun we are talking about is clear, for example: We can also use possessive pronouns after the noun, for example when we are talking about a particular thing:
Examples:

Practice

Complete the sentences with the correct possessive pronoun for the subject in brackets:
.
1)
This isn't our order. It's    . (they)

 
2)
Is this bag    ? (she)

 
3)
Are these    ? (you)

 
4)
This room is    . (we)

 

Further practice

Complete the sentences with the correct answer from a, b, c or d:
.
1)
What is ____ telephone number?
 

 

2)
"Is this your wallet?" "No, it's ____ ".
 

 

3)
Do you have your keys? I can't find ____ .
 

 

4)
We are buying ____ first house.
 

 

5)
Which one is ____ ?
 

 

6)
They are going to ____ house.
 

 


Create a free Getting Started account



Vocabulary
 

Vocabulary


Vocabulary exercises:Expand your vocabulary using our three vocabulary trainers:Practice your spelling using our three spelling tests:Practice vocabulary relating to graphs and charts:
Learn vocabulary
Reading exercises
 

Reading exercises



Improve your reading skills:
 
Go to reading exercises
Video lessons
 

Video lessons


Focus on specific areas of business English using our video lessons:
 
Take a video lesson