Today’s English lesson is about the differences between possessive pronouns and possessive adjectives. Possessive pronouns and possessive adjectives are two types of possessive words in English. They are used to show ownership or possession of something or someone. However, they are used differently and have unique functions in sentences. Let’s explore the key differences between the two.
Table of Contents
Possessive Pronouns
Possessive pronouns show ownership, but they replace the noun in the sentence rather than modify it. They usually come after the verb and do not require a noun to follow them. We can use possessive pronouns for subjects and objects, although it is more common to see possessive pronouns at the end of phrases.
List of Possessive Pronouns
| Person | Possessive Pronoun |
|---|---|
| First person singular | Mine |
| Second person singular | Yours |
| Third person singular (male) | His |
| Third person singular (female) | Hers |
| Third person singular (neutral) | Its |
| First person plural | Ours |
| Second person plural | Yours |
| Third person plural | Theirs |
Examples of Possessive Pronouns:
- This pizza is mine. Your pizza is in the microwave.
- That dress is yours. Mine is at the cleaners.
- The keys are his. I lost my keys yesterday.
- Those cars are theirs. Ours are parked in the garage.
- The choice is ours. Let’s decide what to buy.
Possessive Adjectives
Possessive adjectives are used to show ownership and always come before a noun. They modify the noun and tell us to whom or to whom the noun belongs.
List of Possessive Adjectives
| Person | Possessive Pronoun |
|---|---|
| First person singular | My |
| Second person singular | Your |
| Third person singular (male) | His |
| Third person singular (female) | Her |
| Third person singular (neutral) | Its |
| First person plural | Our |
| Second person plural | Your |
| Third person plural | Their |
Examples of Possessive Adjectives:
- This is my book.
- She likes your dress.
- He can’t find his keys.
- They sold their car.
- The cat licked its paw.
Key Differences
Position in a Sentence
- Possessive adjectives come before a noun.
- Possessive pronouns replace a noun and usually come after the verb.
Requirement of a Noun:
- Possessive adjectives must be followed by a noun.
- Possessive pronouns stand alone and do not require a noun.
Form
- Some possessive pronouns have different forms than their corresponding possessive adjectives (e.g., my/mine, your/yours, our/ours)
More Usage Examples
Example 1
John: My house is on the street next to the shopping center.
Kevin: Mine is on the hill next to the shopping center.
In the first sentence, we use the possessive adjective (i.e., my) before the noun (i.e., house). In the second sentence, we use the possessive pronoun (i.e., mine) as the sentence’s subject.
Example 2
John: Have you seen my wife?
Kevin: No, I haven’t. Have you seen mine?
In the first question, we use the possessive adjective (i.e., my) before the noun (i.e., wife). In the second question, we use the possessive pronoun (i.e., mine) as the object of the question.
Example 3
Mom: John, your lunch is ready. Kevin, I am still preparing yours.
In the sentence, we use the possessive adjective (i.e., you’re) before the noun (i.e., lunch). In the second sentence, we use the possessive pronoun (i.e., yours) as the object of the sentence.
Example 4
John: What does her dress look like?
Kevin: Hers is black and made of silk.
In the first question, we use the possessive adjective (i.e., her) before the noun (i.e., dress). In the second sentence, we use the possessive pronoun (i.e., hers) as the subject of the sentence.
Final Thoughts
Knowing these differences between possessive pronouns and possessive adjectives will help you select the correct form in various types of sentences.
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