In English, it’s common to describe who owns or is connected to something. Possessive adjectives help us do exactly that. These words come before a noun and show a relationship or sense of belonging.
Instead of saying “the shoes of Maria,” we say “her shoes.” The word her tells us the shoes belong to Maria and makes the sentence more natural and clear.
What Are Possessive Adjectives?
A possessive adjective is a word that comes before a noun and shows who owns or is connected to that noun. It helps answer questions like Whose book? or Whose idea?
These adjectives do not change based on the gender or number of the noun. They simply agree with the person or thing that possesses it.
The seven possessive adjectives in English are: my, your, his, her, its, our, and their
| Person | Possessive Adjective |
| I | my |
| You | your |
| He | his |
| She | her |
| It | its (for things) |
| We | our |
| They | their |
Examples:
- Her backpack is on the floor.
- Our teacher gave us extra homework.
- Its color fades in the sun.
List of Possessive Adjectives in English
Here are the seven possessive adjectives used in English, along with who they refer to and example phrases:
| Possessive Adjective | Refers To | Example Phrase |
|---|---|---|
| My | Speaker (I) | my jacket |
| Your | Listener (you) | your idea |
| His | Male person (he) | his bike |
| Her | Female person (she) | her phone |
| Its | Object or animal (it) | its surface |
| Our | Group excluding the speaker | our plan |
| Their | Group excluding speaker | their car |
Possessive Adjectives vs. Possessive Pronouns
Possessive adjectives and possessive pronouns are often confused, but they’re used differently in a sentence.
Possessive Adjectives come before a noun to show who it belongs to. Possessive pronouns, on the other hand, replace the noun entirely and stand alone.
| Function | Possessive Adjective | Possessive Pronoun |
|---|---|---|
| Stands before a noun | my book | — |
| Replaces the noun | — | mine |
| Example with “your” | Your coat is here. | This coat is yours. |
Examples of Possessive Adjectives in Sentences
- My phone isn’t holding a charge.
- Your keys are on the counter.
- His dog waits by the window every day.
- Her handwriting is very neat.
- Its surface feels rough to the touch.
- Our team won the final match.
- Their opinions were all considered.
- We packed our lunches for the trip.
- I can’t find my notebook anywhere.
- Is that your backpack on the floor?
- She forgot to close her laptop.
- The cat curled up in its blanket.
- They painted their room blue.
- Let’s meet at our favorite café.
- He always polishes his shoes before work.
- Your idea really helped improve the plan.
- My jacket is too small now.
- Her phone keeps ringing during class.
- The company updated its website last week.
- Their children go to the same school.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Possessive Adjectives
Understanding possessive adjectives is simple, but there are a few common mistakes you’ll want to avoid:
1. Confusing “Its” and “It’s”
This is one of the most frequent errors in writing.
- Its = possessive adjective
✔ The dog chased its tail. - It’s = contraction of “it is” or “it has”
❌ It’s surface was wet.
✔ It’s raining outside.
Tip: If you can replace it with “it is,” use it’s. If it shows ownership, use its.
2. Using a Possessive Adjective Without a Noun
Possessive adjectives must always be followed by a noun.
❌ My is on the table.
✔ My book is on the table.
3. Using the Wrong Possessive for the Subject
Make sure the possessive adjective matches the subject of the sentence.
❌ He lost her keys.
✔ He lost his keys.
FAQs About Possessive Adjectives
What are the 7 possessive adjectives in English?
They are: my, your, his, her, its, our, and their. Each one shows ownership and comes before a noun.
Is “its” a possessive adjective or a pronoun?
Its is a possessive adjective when it comes before a noun.
Example: The dog wagged its tail.
What’s the difference between “your” and “yours”?
Your is a possessive adjective (before a noun): your car.
Yours is a possessive pronoun (replaces the noun): The car is yours.
Can a possessive adjective be used on its own?
No. Possessive adjectives always need a noun after them.
Example: Her dress is beautiful. (✔)
Not: Her is beautiful. (❌)
Are possessive adjectives the same as descriptive adjectives?
No. Possessive adjectives show ownership, while descriptive adjectives describe qualities like color, size, or emotion.