Want to talk about what’s yours in English? Then it’s time to master possessive adjectives!
These small words like my, your, his, and their will help you describe possessions clearly.
Let’s dive in and see how useful they are!
What are Possessive Adjectives?
Possessive adjectives are essential when it comes to expressing ownerships or relationships in English.
They describe to whom or to what something belongs, and they always come before a noun.
For example, in the sentence “This is my book,” the word “my” is a possessive adjective that tells us the book belongs to the speaker.
Some common possessive adjectives in English include: my, your, his, her, its, our, and their.
Each one matches a different subject and helps give clarity in conversation. For example:
- His backpack is on the chair.
- Their dog is very friendly.
- Our teacher gave us homework.
Where Should You Place Possessive Adjectives in a Sentence?
Possessive adjectives are always placed directly before a noun, and they must agree with the person who owns the object—not with the object itself.
For example, we say “her phone” (the phone belongs to a female) and “their house” (the house belongs to them).
Here’s a simple structure to help you remember: Possessive adjective + noun. Examples:
- My car is parked outside.
- Your idea is brilliant!
- His brother is taller than him.
Avoid using an article like “the” before a possessive adjective. Instead of saying “the my dog,” just say “my dog.”
List of Possessive Adjectives
Below is a list of the most common possessive adjectives in English, along with examples to help you see them in action:
Possessive Adjectives | Used With | Example in a Sentence |
| My | I | My shoes are under the bed. |
| Your | You (singular/plural) | Your bag is open. |
| His | He | His car is very fast. |
| Her | She | Her dress is beautiful. |
| Its | It (non-human) | The cat licked its paw. |
| Our | We | Our family loves hiking. |
| Their | They | Their house is near the park. |
Conclusion
Now, it’s your turn to practice using possessive adjectives in your daily conversations or writing simple sentences to make the rules stick.
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