Top 5 Possessive Pronouns Examples You Need to Know

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 21 June 2023 5 min read

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If you're looking to improve your grammar skills, understanding possessive pronouns is a great place to start! Possessive pronouns are used to show ownership or relationship between words in a sentence. In this blog, we will explore some of the most common possessive pronouns examples that you'll encounter in day-to-day conversations. So, let's dive right in!

1. His and Her Possessives

In this section, we'll discuss "his" and "her" possessives, which are used to indicate ownership or relationship for singular third-person pronouns.

1.1 His

His is a possessive pronoun that shows ownership for a singular masculine noun. It is used when the owner is a male or when referring to a gender-neutral noun. Here are some examples:

Tom lost his wallet.
The dog wagged his tail.

1.2 Her

Her is a possessive pronoun that shows ownership for a singular feminine noun. It is used when the owner is a female. Here are some examples:

Mary left her keys on the table.
The cat licked her paws.

1.3 Using His and Her Correctly

To use "his" and "her" correctly in sentences, follow these simple guidelines:

Identify the gender of the owner or the object being referred to.
Use "his" for male or gender-neutral nouns, and "her" for female nouns.
Make sure the possessive pronoun agrees with the noun in number (singular).

Now that you've got a grip on "his" and "her" possessive pronouns examples, let's move on to "its" and "their" possessives!

2. Its and Their Possessives

In this section, we'll look at "its" and "their" possessives, which are used to indicate ownership or relationship for singular non-human entities and plural entities, respectively.

2.1 Its

Its is a possessive pronoun that shows ownership for a singular non-human noun. It is used when referring to animals, objects, or concepts. Here are some examples:

The tree lost its leaves in autumn.
A smartphone may lose its signal in a remote area.

2.2 Their

Their is a possessive pronoun that shows ownership for plural nouns, regardless of gender. It is used when the owners are multiple people or entities. Here are some examples:

The students turned in their assignments.
The companies announced their merger.

2.3 Using Its and Their Correctly

To use "its" and "their" correctly in sentences, keep these guidelines in mind:

Use "its" when referring to singular non-human nouns.
Use "their" when referring to plural nouns, regardless of gender.
Ensure the possessive pronoun agrees with the noun in number (singular or plural).

With these possessive pronouns examples under your belt, you're ready to tackle "your" and "yours" possessives!

3. Your and Yours Possessives

Now, let's move on to "your" and "yours" possessives. These pronouns are used to show ownership related to the person or people being addressed - that's you, the reader!

3.1 Your

Your is a possessive adjective that comes before a noun to show ownership. It can be used for both singular and plural nouns. Here are some examples:

Your book is on the table.
Your shoes are untied.

3.2 Yours

Yours is a possessive pronoun that replaces the noun to indicate ownership. It can also be used for both singular and plural nouns. Here are some examples:

This book is yours.
These shoes are yours.

3.3 Using Your and Yours Correctly

To use "your" and "yours" correctly in sentences, remember these tips:

Use "your" before a noun to show ownership.
Use "yours" to replace the noun and indicate ownership.
Both "your" and "yours" can be used for singular or plural nouns.

Great job! Now that you've got a handle on "your" and "yours" possessives, let's explore "mine" and "my" possessives.

4. Mine and My Possessives

Let's dive into another pair of possessive pronouns examples: "mine" and "my." These pronouns are used to show ownership related to the person speaking or writing—that's me, the author!

4.1 Mine

Mine is a possessive pronoun that replaces the noun to indicate ownership. Like "yours," it can be used for both singular and plural nouns. Here are some examples:

This book is mine.
These shoes are mine.

4.2 My

My is a possessive adjective that comes before a noun to show ownership. It can also be used for both singular and plural nouns. Here are some examples:

My book is on the table.
My shoes are untied.

4.3 Using Mine and My Correctly

Now that you know the difference between "mine" and "my," here are some tips to help you use them correctly:

Use "my" before a noun to show ownership.
Use "mine" to replace the noun and indicate ownership.
Both "my" and "mine" can be used for singular or plural nouns.

Well done! You've mastered "mine" and "my" possessives! Let's move on to our final pair of possessive pronouns examples: "who's" and "whose."

5. Who's and Whose Possessives

Last but not least, let's explore the possessive pronouns examples for "who's" and "whose." These pronouns are often confused, so it's important to understand their correct usage to make your writing clear and accurate.

5.1 Who's

Who's is a contraction of "who is" or "who has." It is not a possessive pronoun, but rather a combination of two words, which can be a bit tricky. Here are some examples of when to use "who's":

Who's coming to the party tonight?
Who's already finished their homework?

5.2 Whose

Whose is a possessive pronoun used to show ownership or relationship. It is the possessive form of "who" and can be used with both people and things. Here are some examples of when to use "whose":

Whose jacket is this?
The company, whose CEO recently resigned, is facing financial challenges.

5.3 Using Who's and Whose Correctly

To help you remember when to use "who's" and "whose," keep these tips in mind:

Use "who's" when you mean "who is" or "who has."
Use "whose" to show ownership or relationship.
Remember that "whose" is the possessive form of "who."

Congratulations! You've now learned the top 5 possessive pronouns examples you need to know. With this knowledge, you're well-equipped to communicate clearly and effectively in your writing. Happy writing!

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