Possessive Adjectives Definition, Forms, Types, Usage, and Examples

Possessive adjectives are simple yet powerful tools in English grammar. They help us show who owns or has something, making our sentences more precise and clear. This guide will teach you all about possessive adjectives in an easy-to-understand way, perfect for students who are just beginning to learn English.

Table of Contents

1. What Are Possessive Adjectives?
2. Definition of Possessive Adjectives
3. Examples of Possessive Adjectives
4. Difference Between Possessive Adjectives and Possessive Pronouns
5. Practice Questions
6. Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Possessive Adjectives?

A possessive adjective is a word used to show ownership or possession. It tells us to whom or what something belongs. Possessive adjectives always come before the noun they describe.

For example:

• • My pencil is on the table.
  • Is this your bag?

In these sentences, the possessive adjectives my and your show who owns the pencil and the bag.

Definition of Possessive Adjectives

According to the Collins Dictionary, a possessive adjective is “an adjective such as ‘my’ or ‘your’ which shows who or what something belongs to or is connected with.”

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as “a pronominal adjective expressing possession.”

Simply put, possessive adjectives modify a noun to indicate ownership.

Examples of Possessive Adjectives

Here is a list of possessive adjectives:

Using Possessive Adjectives in Sentences

1. My notebook is blue.

2. She loves spending time with her family.

3. They forgot their homework.

4. The dog wagged its tail.

5. This is our classroom.

Difference Between Possessive Adjectives and Possessive Pronouns

Possessive adjectives and possessive pronouns may seem similar, but they are different in how they are used in sentences.

Examples

• • Possessive Adjective: This is my book.
  • Possessive Pronoun: This book is mine.

Practice Questions

Fill in the blanks with the correct possessive adjective:

1. I need to charge ______ phone. (I)

2. They brought ______ backpacks to the trip. (they)

3. We love spending time at ______ house. (we)

4. The cat groomed ______ fur. (it)

5. She forgot to bring ______ lunchbox. (she)

Answers to Practice Questions

1. I need to charge my phone.

2. They brought their backpacks to the trip.

3. We love spending time at our house.

4. The cat groomed its fur.

5. She forgot to bring her lunchbox.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is a possessive adjective?
A possessive adjective is a word like my, your, his, her, its, our, or their that shows ownership or connection.

Q2: Can you give examples of possessive adjectives in sentences?

• • My dog is very friendly.
  • Their car is parked outside.
  • She forgot her keys.

Q3: How are possessive adjectives different from possessive pronouns?
Possessive adjectives describe a noun (e.g., his book), while possessive pronouns replace the noun (e.g., This book is his).