Possessive Pronouns - Definition, Rules & Examples

Lesson Overview

• What Is a Possessive Pronoun?
• List of Possessive Pronouns
• How to Use Possessive Pronouns in Sentences
• Examples of Possessive Pronouns
• Possessive Pronouns Assessment 

Possessive pronoun is a word that replaces a noun to show ownership. Let's understand more about possessive pronouns in this lesson.

What Is a Possessive Pronoun?

A possessive pronoun is a word that shows who owns or has something. In simple words, 

"A possessive pronoun is a pronoun that shows ownership or possession."

These pronouns replace nouns to avoid repeating the same words.

For example

• This bag is mine.
• That house is hers.

Possessive pronouns help make sentences shorter and clearer.

Take This Quiz

The Noun Family: Possessive Pronouns

List of Possessive Pronouns

Here is a list of possessive pronouns

These pronouns are used for both singular and plural subjects depending on what is being owned.

Take This Quiz

Possessive Pronouns Quiz For Beginners

How to Use Possessive Pronouns in Sentences

Here are simple steps to use possessive pronouns correctly in sentences

Step 1: Identify the owner

The first step is to determine who owns or possesses the object. The owner can be a person, group, or thing that is associated with the noun. Identifying the owner is crucial because it helps you choose the correct possessive pronoun based on whether the owner is singular or plural.

For example

The toy belongs to Sarah.

In this sentence, Sarah is the owner of the toy.

Understanding who possesses the object will guide the rest of the sentence construction and ensure that the possessive pronoun aligns with the right owner.

Step 2: Choose the correct possessive pronoun

Select the possessive pronoun that matches the owner. There are different possessive pronouns for singular and plural owners:

• For singular owners, use: mine, yours, his, hers, its.
• For plural owners, use: ours, yours, theirs.

This choice is important because the possessive pronoun needs to match the subject of the sentence.

For example
Sarah's toy → hers
The toys belong to the children → theirs

Choosing the correct possessive pronoun ensures that the sentence is grammatically correct and makes sense.

Step 3: Replace the noun with the possessive pronoun

Now, replace the noun or the object being owned with the appropriate possessive pronoun. 

This step simplifies the sentence by removing the repetition of the noun, making it smoother and more concise.

For example

• Original: "This is Sarah's toy."
• Revised: "This toy is hers."

By replacing the noun with the possessive pronoun, you avoid repeating the name or object, which improves sentence flow. Make sure the possessive pronoun fits naturally into the sentence.

Step 4: Ensure the sentence makes sense

Finally, review the sentence to ensure that it still communicates clearly without repeating the noun. 

The possessive pronoun should convey the same meaning as the original sentence but in a more efficient manner.

For example
Singular

• "This bag is mine."
• "That pen is his."

Plural

• "These shoes are ours."
• "Those books are theirs."

Check that the possessive pronoun makes sense in context and that the sentence still clearly identifies ownership. If the sentence is clear and correct, you're done!

Take This Quiz

Subject, Object and Possessive Pronouns: Quiz!

It is important to know the difference between possessive pronouns and possessive adjectives.

• Possessive Pronoun - It replaces the noun.
• Possessive Adjective - It describes the noun.

Remember that singular possessive pronouns like mine or his can stand alone, while possessive adjectives, like my or his, describe the noun directly.

Take This Quiz

appropriate Possessive Pronouns quiz questions

Examples of Possessive Pronouns

Here are more possessive pronouns examples

• This jacket is mine.
• The bicycle is his.
• That notebook is hers.
• These keys are yours.
• The apartment is ours.
• Those backpacks are theirs.
• This phone is yours.
• The responsibility is mine.
• That decision was theirs.
• These cookies are ours.

Take This Quiz

Exercise 4 : Possessive Adjectives & Possessive Pronouns

Possessive Pronouns Assessment 

List the possessive pronouns from the sentences below

1. This book is mine.
2. The toys are theirs.
3. Is this pen yours?
4. The responsibility is ours.
5. The car parked outside is hers.
6. That house belongs to him; it is his.
7. These pencils are mine.
8. The decision was theirs.
9. This jacket is yours.
10. Those shoes are ours.