Possessives


Possessives take many forms in English.

Pronouns in the possessive case can be used as adjectives to modify nouns or stand alone as subjects, objects or complements. For example,

    My book is on the table.

    Mine is on the table.

    I put mine in the refrigerator.

    The red one is mine.

    (used to modify a noun)

    (used as a subject)

    (used as an object)

    (used as a complement)


See the table below.

    Pronouns as adjectives


    my
    his
    her
    its
    your
    our
    their

    Pronouns as subjects, objects and complements

    mine
    his
    hers
    its (not common)
    yours
    ours
    theirs


The possessive is formed by adding ‘s to singular nouns and plural nouns not ending in s. Such possessives can be used as modifiers, or they can stand alone.

    It is John’s bicycle.
    Those are the children’s toys.
    Jack’s is the white one.
    I’m going to Joe’s.

With plural nouns ending in –s, only an apostrophe (‘) is used to form the possessive.

    The girls’ bicycles are in the repair shop.
    All the students’ books were stolen.

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