Possessive Adjectives in English: Grammar Rules, Usage & Examples

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English – Intermediate, English Adjectives

Possessive Adjectives in English

Possessive adjectives are essential in English grammar as they help us indicate ownership or possession. They modify nouns to show who something belongs to and are widely used in everyday communication. In this blog post, we will explore possessive adjectives, their usage, examples, and exercises to help you master them.

What Are Possessive Adjectives?

Possessive adjectives are words that show ownership or belonging. They always come before a noun and modify it to indicate possession. The most common possessive adjectives in English are:

my
your
his
her
its
our
their

These adjectives replace the need for a noun to show possession explicitly.

Usage of Possessive Adjectives

Possessive adjectives are used in various situations:

Indicating Ownership – Used to show that something belongs to someone.
Example: This is my book.
Talking About Relationships – Used to describe family members, friends, or connections.
Example: His brother is a doctor.
Describing Body Parts – Used instead of definite articles (e.g., the).
Example: She injured her leg.
Referring to Pets and Objects – Used to show ownership of pets or things.
Example: The dog is wagging its tail.
Indicating Group Ownership – Used for plural subjects.
Example: This is our house.
Addressing Someone Formally and Informally – “Your” can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Example: Your car is parked outside.
Expressing Feelings or Thoughts – Used to describe personal emotions, beliefs, or opinions.
Example: My opinion is different from yours.
Talking About Time and Events – Used when referring to specific times or occasions.
Example: We enjoyed our holiday.
Indicating Professional Roles or Responsibilities – Used for job positions or tasks.
Example: Her manager is very supportive.
Possession in Abstract Concepts – Used for things like names, ideas, or dreams.
Example: His idea was brilliant.

List of Possessive Adjectives with Example Sentences

Possessive Adjective	Beginner Level Example	Intermediate Level Example
My	This is my pen.	My thoughts are clear now.
Your	Is this your book?	I respect your decision.
His	His bike is red.	I don’t understand his logic.
Her	Her dress is beautiful.	Her dedication to work is impressive.
Its	The dog wagged its tail.	The company changed its policy.
Our	Our school is big.	We must protect our environment.
Their	Their house is near the park.	Their success is well-deserved.

More Example Sentences

She forgot her keys at home.
This is my favorite song.
I love your cooking.
He took his jacket and left.
The cat licked its paws.
We had a great time at our wedding.
They visited their grandparents last summer.
Please submit your assignments on time.
He is proud of his achievements.
The dog followed its owner.

Fill in the Blanks

Is this ___ book? (your/my)
He forgot ___ phone at home. (his/its)
We love spending time with ___ family. (our/their)
She borrowed ___ pen to write a note. (his/her)
The cat licked ___ fur after the bath. (its/her)
They celebrated ___ anniversary last night. (their/our)
I don’t understand ___ reasoning. (his/your)
We went to ___ favorite restaurant. (my/our)
The teacher praised ___ students. (her/his)
You should respect ___ elders. (their/your)

Answers

your
his
our
her
its
their
his
our
her
your

Things to Keep in Mind

Possessive adjectives must be followed by a noun. (e.g., My car is new. NOT My is new.)
“Its” is not the same as “it’s.” (“Its” shows possession, while “it’s” is a contraction of “it is.”)
Possessive adjectives do not change based on gender except “his” and “her.”
Unlike possessive pronouns, possessive adjectives always require a noun. (e.g., This is my book. vs. This book is mine.)
Possessive adjectives agree with the possessor, not the thing possessed. (e.g., His sister (not Her sister) when referring to a boy’s sister.)

Conclusion

Possessive adjectives play a crucial role in English grammar by indicating ownership and relationships. They are commonly used in everyday communication and are easy to learn with practice. By understanding their usage and applying them in sentences, you can improve your English fluency significantly. Keep practicing with the examples and exercises provided, and soon, possessive adjectives will become second nature to you!

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