English Possessive Pronouns and Adjectives

Overview

Learn how to use possessive pronouns and adjectives, and how to differentiate between them.

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A possessive pronoun is used to express ownership. They are not immediately followed by a noun, but they stand alone.

possessivepronoun
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Examples:
The red car is mine.
The strawberry ice cream is hers, the chocolate one is yours.
The book is his.

Possessive Adjectives

When a possessive pronoun is immediately followed by a noun, it becomes a possessive adjective. Possessive adjectives do not stand alone.

possessiveadjective
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Examples: 

I am driving my car, you are riding your bike.
She is reading her book.
We are bringing our dogs to the BBQ, are you bringing yours (possessive pronoun)?
Are their children in High School?

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Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

The CEFR is an international standard used to describe language ability. Here are specific details of the CEFR for this topic.

General Explanation:
Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
Specific Capabilities at this Level
Writing:
I can write a short, simple postcard, for example sending holiday greetings. I can fill in forms with personal details, for example entering my name, nationality and address on a hotel registration form.
Spoken Production:
I can use simple phrases and sentences to describe where I live and people I know.
Spoken Interaction:
I can interact in a simple way provided the other person is prepared to repeat or rephrase things at a slower rate of speech and help me formulate what I’m trying to say. I can ask and answer simple questions in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics.
Reading:
I can understand familiar names, words and very simple sentences, for example on notices and posters or in catalogues.
Listening:
I can recognize familiar words and very basic phrases concerning myself, my family and immediate concrete surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly.