Possesives

Learn how to use possessives in English.
Sound Grammar

Possesive Pronouns and Adjectives

Watch four conversations using the grammar on elllo.org.

Answer the following grammar questions.

Possessives

Point 1: A possessive adjective comes before a noun to show who something belongs to.
  1. my – This is my desk.
  2. your – This is your desk.
  3. her – This is her desk.
  4. his – This is his desk.
  5. its – This is its desk. (used for things or animals, but "its" is not commonly used in this way in speaking)
  6. their – This is their desk. (used for groups)
  7. our – This is our desk. (used for "we")
Point 2: A possessive pronoun replaces the noun and the possessive adjective. It stands alone.
  1. mine – This is mine.
  2. yours – This is yours.
  3. hers – This is hers.
  4. his – This is his. (same as the possessive adjective)
  5. theirs – This is theirs.
  6. ours – This is ours.
Point 3: Use 's after a name or noun to show possession. The noun after shows what is owned.
  1. This is Joe's desk. (Joe owns the desk)
  2. I love Mary's new house. (Mary owns the house)
  3. The hotel's pool is very nice. (The hotel has a pool)
  4. This is my company's car. (The company owns the car)
Point 4: Use the question word whose to ask about possession. You can also use the verb belong to show ownership.
  • Whose coffee cup is this?
  • It belongs to Mary.
  • Whose tablet is this?
  • It belongs to the school.
Point 5: There are four common ways to show possession in English.
  • Whose coffee cup is this? (question form)
  • It is Mary's cup. (using 's)
  • It is her cup. (possessive adjective)
  • It is hers. (possessive pronoun)
  • It belongs to Mary. (using the verb "belong")

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