Possessive Pronouns
Learn about pronouns that show ownership and possession
What Are Possessive Pronouns?
Possessive pronouns are words that show ownership or possession without using an apostrophe. They replace nouns to indicate who owns or possesses something. Unlike possessive adjectives, possessive pronouns stand alone and don't need a noun after them.
Types of Possessive Pronouns
Singular Possessive Pronouns
Mine
First person singular
Yours
Second person singular
His
Third person masculine
Hers
Third person feminine
Plural Possessive Pronouns
Ours
First person plural
Yours
Second person plural
Theirs
Third person plural
Its
Third person neuter
Comparison with Possessive Adjectives
My book (adjective)
vs The book is mine (pronoun)
Your car (adjective)
vs The car is yours (pronoun)
Her house (adjective)
vs The house is hers (pronoun)
Their dog (adjective)
vs The dog is theirs (pronoun)
Possessive Pronouns in Sentences
This book is mine. (Not "This book is my")
The car is hers. (Not "The car is her")
The house is theirs. (Not "The house is their")
This pen is yours. (Not "This pen is your")
Interactive Quiz 1: Identify Possessive Pronouns
Find the possessive pronouns in each sentence:
This book is mine, and that one is yours.
Show Answer
Answer: mine, yours
The car is hers, but the house is theirs.
Show Answer
Answer: hers, theirs
This pen is his, and that notebook is ours.
Show Answer
Answer: his, ours
Interactive Quiz 2: Complete with Possessive Pronouns
Complete each sentence with the correct possessive pronoun:
This book belongs to me. It is _____.
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Answer: mine
The car belongs to her. It is _____.
Show Answer
Answer: hers
The house belongs to them. It is _____.
Show Answer
Answer: theirs
Interactive Quiz 3: Possessive Pronouns vs Adjectives
Choose the correct form:
1. This is _____ book. (my/mine)
Show Answer
Answer: my (adjective before noun)
2. The book is _____. (my/mine)
Show Answer
Answer: mine (pronoun stands alone)
3. This is _____ car. (her/hers)
Show Answer
Answer: her (adjective before noun)
Interactive Quiz 4: Singular vs Plural Possessive Pronouns
Identify if each possessive pronoun is singular or plural:
1. Mine, yours, his, hers, its
Show Answer
Answer: All are singular
2. Ours, yours, theirs
Show Answer
Answer: All are plural
3. Yours (can be both singular and plural)
Show Answer
Answer: Yours can be both singular and plural
Tips for Using Possessive Pronouns
Stand Alone
Possessive pronouns don't need a noun after them.
No Apostrophes
Possessive pronouns don't use apostrophes like "it's".
Distinguish from Adjectives
Remember the difference between possessive adjectives and pronouns.
Quick Reference
Pro Tip
Remember: possessive pronouns stand alone, while possessive adjectives come before nouns!