Possessives
Definition
Possessive forms show ownership, relationships and other connections. Possessive determiners such as my and their come before a noun, while possessive pronouns such as mine and theirs replace the noun phrase.
Examples
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This is my notebook.
My is a possessive determiner before a noun.
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That notebook is mine.
Mine stands alone as a possessive pronoun.
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Mara’s office is upstairs.
The apostrophe form marks a relationship between Mara and the office.
Possessive determiner vs. possessive pronoun
Our seats are near the front.
Our must be followed by the noun seats.
The seats near the front are ours.
Ours replaces the complete noun phrase.
Use my/your/his/her/its/our/their + noun. Use mine/yours/his/hers/ours/theirs without a following noun.
Possession is broader than ownership
Possessive forms also express family, parts, authorship, time and other close relationships.
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Leila’s brother lives in Ankara.
The form expresses a family relationship.
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Tomorrow’s meeting starts at nine.
The possessive links an event with a time.
Common mistakes
This bag is her.
This bag is hers.
Use the possessive pronoun hers when no noun follows.
That is mine coat.
That is my coat.
Use the possessive determiner my before a noun.
Quick check
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly uses a possessive determiner?
Their is the possessive determiner used before house.Which sentence correctly uses a possessive pronoun?
Mine replaces the noun phrase and stands alone.Which apostrophe form is correct for one teacher?
For a singular noun, add ’s: the teacher’s desk.Nice work — you've completed the quick check.
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