Possessive Adjectives
Before discussing possessive adjectives, we need to know what adjectives are. We categorize words based on their roles in a sentence called parts of speech.
An adjective is a part of
speech that is very important in English. In most cases, we cannot convey our
message without using an adjective. In this article, we are discussing
possessive adjectives. Remember that there are many types of adjectives including
possessive adjectives.
Definition of an Adjective
An adjective is a word that
we use to add something to the meaning of a noun. In simple words, an adjective
modifies a noun or gives more information about a noun.
- Good students always respect their teachers.
The word “good” adds to the
meaning of the noun “students”. Similarly, the word “their” adds to the meaning
of the noun “teachers”. They are adjectives; they modify the nouns.
Definition of a Possessive Adjective
A possessive adjective is
an adjective that shows possession or ownership. A possessive adjective
modifies a noun by showing who or what something belongs to.
All adjectives give more
information about nouns. The information can be of different types. The
information can be about quality, quantity, possession, etc. Possessive
adjectives add information regarding the possession of a noun.
- His shoes are very expensive.
The word “his” is a possessive adjective. It tells us more about the ownership of the noun “shoes”.
List of Possessive Adjectives
|
Personal
Pronoun |
Possessive
Adjective |
|
I |
My |
|
We |
Our |
|
You |
Your |
|
He |
His |
|
She |
Her |
|
It |
Its |
|
They |
Their |
Examples of Possessive Adjectives
- My business is growing.
- It is our new house in this city.
- Your parents are everything for you; respect them.
- His brother is going to marry Lisa next month.
- I will attend her marriage ceremony in New York.
- Its color is not professional, so I don’t like to buy it.
- Their misbehavior is the main cause of the failure of their business.
Key Points about Possessive Adjectives
Spelling Mistakes
Some spelling mistakes are
common in general use. Some people make mistakes while using possessive
adjectives.
Mistakes are made when
someone uses contract forms (it’s, they’re, you’re). Look at the difference
between “their” and “they’re. “Their” is a possessive adjective, and “they’re”
is the short form of “they are”.
- A computer can be judged by it’s quotation. (×)
- A computer can be judged by its quotation. (√)
Singular They
We use corresponding
possessive adjectives with personal pronouns. In the English language, we don’t
have a pronoun for neutral gender. There is a great chance to use an incorrect
possessive adjective in such a case.
- Everyone thinks about their salary.
- Everyone thinks about his/her salary.
The above two options are correct. The first one is more appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions about Possessive Adjectives
What is the definition of a possessive adjective?
A possessive adjective is
an adjective that shows possession or ownership. A possessive adjective
modifies a noun by showing who or what something belongs to.
A possessive adjective is a
word that modifies a noun by showing the ownership of the noun.
- My laptop is faultless.
- I want to know what your name is.
What is the difference between possessive adjectives and possessive pronouns?
An adjective modifies a
noun, and a pronoun replaces a noun. The difference between them is that
possessive adjectives modify nouns and are followed by nouns, and possessive pronouns
take the place of nouns. Both are used to show ownership.
|
Personal
Pronoun |
Possessive
Adjective |
Possessive
Pronoun |
|
I |
My |
Mine |
|
We |
Our |
Ours |
|
You |
Your |
Yours |
|
He |
His |
His |
|
She |
Her |
Hers |
|
It |
Its |
Its |
|
They |
Their |
Theirs |
- I need your notebook.
- Our home is made of mud.
- I have put my mobile on the table.
- I need yours.
- Ours is made of mud.
- I have put mine on the table.
How to identify a possessive adjective?
A possessive adjective is
used before a noun. Sometimes, we need to use a possessive adjective before
other adjectives that come before nouns.
- I know their planning.
- I like his new hairstyle.
Is there any difference between a possessive adjective and a determiner?
Both of them are used before nouns and modify the nouns they precede. There is no difference between a determiner and a possessive adjective. Determiners include possessive adjectives, demonstrative adjectives, articles, and quantifiers.
