Possessive Adjectives

Possessive Adjectives – Exercises

These exercises focus on Possessive Adjectives

What Are Possessive Adjectives?

Possessive adjectives show ownership or possession. They tell us who something belongs to. For example, in the sentence:

"This is my book."

The word my tells us that the book belongs to the speaker.

The List of Possessive Adjectives

Here is a table to help you understand the possessive adjectives in English:

Rules for Using Possessive Adjectives

1. Always Use Before a Noun
   Possessive adjectives come before the thing they describe.

• Correct: This is my dog.

• Incorrect: This is dog my.

2. Match the Subject Pronoun
   The possessive adjective must match the subject of the sentence.

• If the subject is "she," use her.

• If the subject is "they," use their.

3. Do Not Add an Apostrophe
   Possessive adjectives never use an apostrophe. For example:

• Correct: The cat ate its food.

• Incorrect: The cat ate it’s food. (it’s means "it is").

Common Mistakes

1. Confusing "its" and "it’s"

• Its is a possessive adjective: "The dog wagged its tail."

• It’s means "it is" or "it has": "It’s a sunny day."

2. Using Subject Pronouns Instead of Possessive Adjectives

• Incorrect: "This is she book."

• Correct: "This is her book."

3. Mixing Up Their, There, and They’re

• Their is possessive: "Their car is red."

• There means a place: "The keys are there."

• They’re means "they are": "They’re coming soon."

Everyday Use of Possessive Adjectives

We use possessive adjectives in daily conversations to describe relationships, ownership, or parts of the body. Here are some examples:

1. Talking About Family

• "This is my sister."

• "Is that your mother?"

2. Describing Ownership

• "Can I borrow your pen?"

• "I left my phone at home."

3. Body Parts

• "She hurt her leg."

• "The baby is moving its hands."

FAQ

What is a possessive adjective?

A word that shows who owns something (e.g., my, your, his).

What’s the difference between possessive adjectives and possessive pronouns?

Possessive adjectives come before a noun (e.g., "my book"). Possessive pronouns replace a noun (e.g., "This book is mine").

Is "it’s" a possessive adjective?

No, it’s means "it is" or "it has." The possessive form is its.

Can possessive adjectives be plural?

Yes, for example: "our," "their." They refer to plural subjects.

How do I avoid common mistakes with possessive adjectives?

Practice matching the subject with the correct adjective and remember the rules about placement and spelling.