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Possessive Pronouns

Possessive pronouns are used to indicate ownership or possession. They replace possessive noun phrases to make our sentences more concise and avoid repetition.

Example

Instead of saying: “That book belongs to Sarah. Sarah’s book is on the table.”

We can use a possessive pronoun to say: “That book belongs to Sarah. Hers is on the table.”

In this example, “hers” is the possessive pronoun that replaces “Sarah’s book,” making the sentence more concise while still clearly indicating ownership.

Types of Possessive Pronouns

Possessive pronouns can be categorized into two main types:

  1. Possessive Adjectives (also called Possessive Determiners)
  2. Absolute Possessive Pronouns

Let’s examine each type and understand their roles in sentences.

1. Possessive Adjectives (Possessive Determiners)

Possessive adjectives are used before nouns to show ownership. They modify the noun that follows them.

Person Singular Plural
First My Our
Second Your Your
Third His/Her/Its Their

Examples:

  • This is my book.
  • Their car is parked outside.

2. Absolute Possessive Pronouns

Absolute possessive pronouns stand alone and replace possessive noun phrases. They don’t need to be followed by a noun.

Person Singular Plural
First Mine Ours
Second Yours Yours
Third His/Hers/Its Theirs

Examples:

  • That book is mine.
  • The decision is yours to make.

Usage and Common Mistakes

Distinguishing Between Possessive Adjectives and Absolute Possessive Pronouns

It’s crucial to use the correct form depending on whether you’re modifying a noun or replacing a possessive noun phrase.

Correct: This is my book. (possessive adjective)

Correct: This book is mine. (absolute possessive pronoun)

Incorrect: This is mine book.

Avoiding Apostrophes

Unlike possessive nouns, possessive pronouns never use apostrophes.

Correct: The book is hers.

Incorrect: The book is her’s.

Agreement with Antecedents

Possessive pronouns should agree in number and gender with their antecedents (the nouns they refer to or replace).

Correct: Each student should bring his or her own materials.

Incorrect: Each student should bring their own materials. (in formal writing; however, singular “their” is becoming more accepted in modern usage)

Using “Its” vs. “It’s”

“Its” is the possessive form, while “it’s” is a contraction of “it is” or “it has”.

Correct: The dog wagged its tail.

Correct: It’s going to rain today. (meaning “It is going to rain today”)

Key Takeaways

  • Possessive pronouns indicate ownership or possession in a sentence.
  • There are two main types: possessive adjectives (used before nouns) and absolute possessive pronouns (stand alone).
  • Possessive adjectives modify nouns, while absolute possessive pronouns replace possessive noun phrases.
  • Never use apostrophes with possessive pronouns.
  • Ensure agreement between possessive pronouns and their antecedents.
  • Be careful to distinguish between “its” (possessive) and “it’s” (contraction).
  • In formal writing, avoid using “their” as a singular possessive pronoun, though this usage is becoming more accepted.

FAQs

What’s the difference between ‘your’ and ‘you’re’?

‘Your’ is a possessive adjective indicating ownership, while ‘you’re’ is a contraction of “you are”. For example:

  • Is this your book? (possessive)
  • You’re going to be late for the meeting. (contraction of “you are”)
Can ‘whose’ be used for inanimate objects?

Yes, ‘whose’ can be used for both animate and inanimate objects, although some writers prefer to use ‘of which’ for inanimate objects in formal writing. For example:

  • The house whose roof was damaged in the storm… (acceptable)
  • The house, the roof of which was damaged in the storm… (more formal)
How do I choose between ‘his,’ ‘her,’ and ’their’ when the gender is unknown?

When the gender is unknown or you want to be inclusive:

  1. In formal writing, you can use “his or her”: “Each student should submit his or her assignment.”
  2. You can rewrite the sentence in plural: “All students should submit their assignments.”
  3. In less formal contexts or to be more inclusive, singular “their” is becoming widely accepted: “Each student should submit their assignment.”
Are there any possessive pronouns for gender-neutral singular use?

While English traditionally lacks a universally accepted gender-neutral singular possessive pronoun, several options have emerged:

  1. Singular “their/theirs” is increasingly accepted.
  2. Some propose new pronouns like “xe/xyr” or “ze/zir”, but these are not yet widely adopted.
  3. In formal writing, “one” can be used: “One should always do one’s best.” The most common and increasingly accepted option is singular “their/theirs”.
How do possessive pronouns differ from possessive nouns?

The main differences are:

  1. Possessive pronouns never use apostrophes, while possessive nouns do (e.g., “hers” vs. “Mary’s”).
  2. Possessive pronouns change form based on whether they’re used as adjectives or stand-alone (e.g., “her book” vs. “The book is hers”), while possessive nouns don’t change form.
  3. Possessive pronouns replace the entire possessive noun phrase, not just the noun (e.g., “her” replaces “Mary’s” in “Mary’s book”).
Last updated on August 17, 2024
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