Possessive Pronouns helps you communicate about ownership when the possessed noun is understood. Start with the meaning, notice the pattern, and then use it in complete sentences.
By the end of this lesson, you can
- I can use possessive pronouns independently to avoid repeating a noun.
- Recognise and build the form: mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs.
- Use the pattern accurately in a meaningful sentence.
Meaning and use
Use Possessive Pronouns for ownership when the possessed noun is understood. Always read the whole situation before choosing the form: grammar expresses a meaning, not only a pattern.
This pen is mine.
Use 'mine' without a following noun to mean 'my pen'.
Is this seat yours?
Use 'yours' independently to mean 'your seat'.
That jacket is his.
'His' can function independently as a possessive pronoun.
mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirsKeep this pattern visible while you study the examples. Then cover it and rebuild one example from memory.
Key rules to notice
These rules explain why the form is correct. Focus on the subject, auxiliary, verb form, word order and time or meaning clues.
- Use 'mine' without a following noun to mean 'my pen'.
- Use 'yours' independently to mean 'your seat'.
- 'His' can function independently as a possessive pronoun.
- Use 'hers' without a noun to replace 'her bag'.
- Use 'ours' independently to mean 'our office'.
Common mistakes
Not:This pen is my.
Use:This pen is mine.
Use 'mine' without a following noun to mean 'my pen'.
Not:Is this seat your?
Use:Is this seat yours?
Use 'yours' independently to mean 'your seat'.
Not:That jacket is him.
Use:That jacket is his.
'His' can function independently as a possessive pronoun.
Check before you practise
Complete each sentence mentally, then reveal the answer.
My bag is black; ____ is blue.
hers
Use 'hers' without a noun to replace 'her bag'.
Their office is larger than ____.
ours
Use 'ours' independently to mean 'our office'.
These books are ____.
theirs
Use 'theirs' without a following noun for plural owners.