Definition / Explanation
Possessive adjectives show that something belongs to someone or is connected to someone. They come before a noun, as in my phone or their car. The main forms are my, your, his, her, its, our, and their. They are different from subject pronouns, so she becomes her, and they becomes their.
Key Rules
- Use a possessive adjective before a noun: my bag, their car.
- Use my with I, your with you, his with he, her with she, its with it, our with we, their with they.
- Do not use 's and a possessive adjective together before the same noun in basic sentences.
- Use its for things or animals when you need it, but it is less common than some other forms.
- Remember that it's is different: it means it is or it has.
Examples
- My phone is new.
- Is this your coat?
- His name is Adam.
- Her sister is a nurse.
- Our house is near the river.
- Their children are at school.
Common Mistakes
- ❌ This is the my bag. -> ✅ This is my bag.
- ❌ She is his mother. Her name is Tom. -> ✅ She is his mother. His name is Tom.
- ❌ The dog eats it's food. -> ✅ The dog eats its food.