Possessive Adjective: Definition, Examples & Rules | English Grammar
Last Updated: 01 Jul, 2025
Welcome! In this lesson, you'll learn everything you need to know about Possessive Adjectives in English grammar. We'll cover what they are, why they matter, how to use them, and how to avoid common mistakes. You'll also find real-life examples, a quick quiz, and pro tips to help you master this essential grammar topic.
What is a Possessive Adjective?
Possessive Adjective Definition: A Possessive Adjective is a word that shows ownership or possession. It describes to whom or what something belongs. The main possessive adjectives in English are my, your, his, her, its, our, and their.
Why are Possessive Adjectives Important? They help us make it clear who owns or is related to something. For example, instead of saying "I have book," you can say "I have my book."
Function in Grammar
Possessive adjectives are used before nouns to show who owns or is related to the noun. They answer the question "whose?" and help specify the noun. For example:
- Without Possessive Adjective: I have pencil.
- With Possessive Adjective: I have my pencil.
Possessive Adjective vs Possessive Pronoun: A possessive adjective comes before a noun (my book), while a possessive pronoun stands alone (mine is red).
Possessive Adjective vs Descriptive Adjective
| Possessive Adjective | Descriptive Adjective |
|---|---|
| my | red |
| your | tall |
| his | happy |
| her | delicious |
| their | old |
A possessive adjective shows ownership, while a descriptive adjective describes qualities.
📌 Possessive Adjective Challenge!
Can you spot the possessive adjectives in these sentences?
- This is my bag.
- She lost her keys.
- They love their dog.
Show Answers
- my
- her
- their
Examples of Possessive Adjectives in Sentences
- This is my book.
- She lost her keys.
- He forgot his homework.
- We love our school.
- They brought their lunch.
- Is this your pen?
- The cat licked its paw.
- Our teacher is very kind.
- He cleaned his room.
- She found her shoes.
- They finished their project.
- We visited our grandparents.
- Is this your bag?
- The dog wagged its tail.
- My parents are doctors.
Notice how each possessive adjective shows who owns or is related to the noun.
List of Possessive Adjectives
- my (belonging to me)
- your (belonging to you)
- his (belonging to him)
- her (belonging to her)
- its (belonging to it)
- our (belonging to us)
- their (belonging to them)
Possessive Adjective Usage
| Adjective | Person | Example |
|---|---|---|
| my | 1st person singular | my book |
| your | 2nd person singular/plural | your car |
| his | 3rd person singular (male) | his hat |
| her | 3rd person singular (female) | her bag |
| its | 3rd person singular (thing/animal) | its tail |
| our | 1st person plural | our house |
| their | 3rd person plural | their dog |
Possessive adjectives show who owns or is related to the noun.
Special Rules and Notes
- Placement: Possessive adjectives always come before the noun they describe.
- Never Alone: Possessive adjectives are always followed by a noun (my book, her bag).
- Not Pronouns: Do not confuse possessive adjectives (my, your) with possessive pronouns (mine, yours).
- Its vs It's: "Its" is a possessive adjective; "it's" means "it is" or "it has."
- Plural: "Our" and "their" are used for plural owners.
- Gender: "His" for males, "her" for females, "its" for things/animals.
Quick Quiz: Spot the Possessive Adjective!
Which words are possessive adjectives in these sentences?
- This is my pencil.
- She found her shoes.
- He forgot his homework.
- We love our school.
- They brought their lunch.
Answers: my, her, his, our, their
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an adjective?
An adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun, providing more information about its qualities, characteristics, or attributes.
How do you identify an adjective?
Adjectives answer questions like "What kind?", "Which one?", "How many?", or "How much?" about nouns.
What are the different types of adjectives?
Common types include descriptive adjectives, quantitative adjectives, demonstrative adjectives, possessive adjectives, interrogative adjectives, and proper adjectives.
Where do adjectives usually appear in a sentence?
Adjectives usually come before the noun they describe, but they can also come after linking verbs like "is," "are," "was," and "were."
Can adjectives be compared?
Yes, many adjectives have comparative and superlative forms to show degrees of comparison (e.g., tall, taller, tallest).
Conclusion
Understanding possessive adjectives is key to writing and speaking English clearly and specifically. Possessive adjectives help you show ownership and make your communication more precise. Practice identifying and using them in everything you read or write. The more you practice, the easier it gets!