1. Introduction
Possessive adjectives are words that show ownership or relationships between people and things. They modify nouns and tell you to whom or what something belongs. Using these adjectives makes your speech and writing clear, avoids repetition, and helps you get your message across quickly.
2. Understanding Possessive Adjectives
A. Definition
Possessive adjectives modify nouns by showing ownership or association. Unlike possessive pronouns, they always come before a noun.
List of Possessive Adjectives:
- My (belongs to me)
- Your (belongs to you)
- His (belongs to him)
- Her (belongs to her)
- Its (belongs to it; used for animals or objects)
- Our (belongs to us)
- Their (belongs to them)
B. Usage in Sentences
Possessive adjectives are placed directly before the noun they modify. They help express who owns or is associated with something.
For example:
- This is my phone.
- Your book is on the table.
- His car is new.
- Her ideas are innovative.
- The cat licked its paws.
- Our house is near the park.
- Their garden is beautifully maintained.
- My dog is very playful.
- Your shoes are stylish.
- His jacket is warm.
C. Possessive Adjectives vs. Possessive Pronouns
Possessive adjectives come before a noun to modify it. In contrast, possessive pronouns replace the noun altogether.
For example:
- Adjective: “That is her book.”
- Pronoun: “That book is hers.”
- Adjective: “This is my car.”
- Pronoun: “The car is mine.”
- Adjective: “These are our pens.”
- Pronoun: “The pens are ours.”
Remember, possessive adjectives require a noun to follow.
3. Possessive Adjectives vs. Possessive Pronouns
Possessive adjectives come before a noun to show ownership. Possessive pronouns, on the other hand, replace the noun entirely.
Compare these examples:
- Adjective: “That is her book.”
- Pronoun: “That book is hers.”
- Adjective: “This is my phone.”
- Pronoun: “The phone is mine.”
- Adjective: “These are our tickets.”
- Pronoun: “The tickets are ours.”
- Adjective: “Is that your coat?”
- Pronoun: “That coat is yours.”
- Adjective: “Those are his shoes.”
- Pronoun: “The shoes are his.”
- Adjective: “I like their idea.”
- Pronoun: “The idea is theirs.”
- Adjective: “Our car is fast.”
- Pronoun: “The car is ours.”
- Adjective: “Her dress is elegant.”
- Pronoun: “The dress is hers.”
Possessive Adjectives Exercises:
Exercise 1 – Choose the correct possessive adjective
1. I have a bike. ___ bike is red.
2. She has a cat. ___ cat is small.
3. We love school. ___ school is big.
4. They lost ___ keys.
5. He likes football. ___ ball is old.
Exercise 2 – Pick the best possessive adjective
1. This is Anna. ___ laptop is new.
2. Tom is proud of ___ work.
3. You are late. Where is ___ bag?
4. The dog wags ___ tail.
5. My friends and I sing. ___ voices are loud.
Exercise 3 – Choose the right word
1. Ben and Lucy live in London. ___ house is small.
2. I love coffee. ___ favorite mug is blue.
3. She studies English. ___ teacher is kind.
4. He rides a bike to work. ___ ride is short.
5. We travel by bus. ___ tickets are cheap.
Exercise 4 – Fill the gap
1. ___ parents are doctors.
2. Is this ___ pencil?
3. The rabbit cleans ___ ears.
4. They are having ___ dinner.
5. She forgot ___ phone.
Exercise 5 – Choose the correct word
1. This is Jack. ___ job is interesting.
2. We like ___ teacher.
3. They opened ___ presents.
4. I lost ___ keys.
5. You can leave ___ shoes here.
