What are the rules for using possessive adjectives and pronouns in a sentence?

Grammar Rules Questions Long



80 Short 80 Medium 48 Long Answer Questions Question Index

What are the rules for using possessive adjectives and pronouns in a sentence?

The rules for using possessive adjectives and pronouns in a sentence are as follows:

1. Possessive Adjectives:
- Possessive adjectives are used to show ownership or possession of something.
- They are always placed before a noun.
- The possessive adjectives in English are: my, your, his, her, its, our, and their.
- Examples: This is my book. Is that your car? His house is big.

2. Possessive Pronouns:
- Possessive pronouns also indicate ownership or possession, but they stand alone without a noun.
- They replace a noun and show who it belongs to.
- The possessive pronouns in English are: mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, and theirs.
- Examples: The red car is mine. Is this book yours? The house is theirs.

3. Agreement:
- Possessive adjectives and pronouns must agree with the noun they are referring to in terms of number and gender.
- For example, "my" is used with a singular noun, while "our" is used with a plural noun.
- Examples: This is my cat. These are our cats. Is that her pen? Are those their pens?

4. No Apostrophe:
- It is important to note that possessive adjectives and pronouns do not use an apostrophe to indicate possession.
- The apostrophe is only used for contractions or to show possession with nouns.
- Examples: This is my sister's car. Is that your dog's toy?

5. Avoid Ambiguity:
- When using possessive adjectives and pronouns, it is crucial to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.
- Make sure it is clear who the possession belongs to in the sentence.
- Examples: His book is on the table. (Whose book? His book.) Their house is beautiful. (Whose house? Their house.)

By following these rules, you can effectively use possessive adjectives and pronouns in your sentences to indicate ownership or possession.