Possessive Pronouns

 Possessive pronouns replace nouns and show ownership of a person, place, or thing.

In the example “It is his’’ the pronoun “his” refers to Ben as the masculine owner of the painting. The noun “painting” is understood and not needed to complete the meaning of the statement.

In the example “It is hers“ the pronoun “hers“refers to Maria as the feminine owner of the phone. The noun “phone” is understood without naming it.

Here are two examples to illustrate the possessive pronouns mine and yours in singular form: 

Ben and Anna are talking about a hat.

The possessive pronoun “mine” stands alone since it replaces both the adjective “my” and the noun “hat.”

Tom and Maria are talking about their phones.

The possessive pronoun “yours” stands alone since it replaces both the adjective “your” and the noun “phone.”

The next two illustrated examples use the plural possessive pronouns ours and theirs:

The students talk about their school.

The pronoun “ours” expresses the students‘ ownership and replaces both the adjective “our“ and the noun “school.“ It is a plural pronoun.

Sue and Jim have a cat.

It is their cat.                                       It is theirs

“Theirs” replaces “their cat.“Sue and Jim are the owners of the cat, making theirs a plural pronoun.

Possession- Three Ways