Possessive Pronouns Definition, Usage, and Examples

Easy Explanation

• Use possessive pronouns to show who owns something.
• They are used without a noun after them.
• They make your sentences short and clear.

Examples of Possessive Pronouns

➤ This pen is mine.
➤ That car is yours.
➤ These keys are hers.
➤ The house is ours.
➤ Is this bag theirs?
➤ No, it’s his.
➤ The cat cleaned its paws.

Possessive Pronouns in Different Contexts

1. In Daily Conversations

➤ This seat is mine, not yours.
➤ That phone is hers, not his.

2. In Letters and Notes

➤ I’ll bring my book, you bring yours.

3. In Questions

➤ Is this umbrella yours or mine?

4. To Avoid Repetition

➤ Your room is big, but mine is bigger.

Quick Tips

• Don’t add a noun after possessive pronouns.
  (Wrong: This is mine book ❌)
  (Correct: This is mine ✅)
• Use them when the ownership is already clear.

Chart of Possessive Pronouns

Here is a simple chart to help beginners understand better:

Practice Exercise

Instructions: Fill in the blanks using the correct possessive pronoun.

1. That mobile is not mine. It is _______.
2. This house belongs to us. It is _______.
3. I have a jacket. The black one is _______.
4. They have a big garden. It is _______.
5. This is my pen. Where is _______?
6. That’s not her bag. _______ is blue.
7. He bought a new car. The red car is _______.
8. Our school is small. _______ is big.
9. I took my books. Did you take _______?
10. The cat licked _______ paws.

Answers:

1. yours
2. ours
3. mine
4. theirs
5. yours
6. hers
7. his
8. theirs
9. yours
10. its

Interactive Activities

Here are some fun and interactive activities for English learners to practice Possessive Pronouns in a simple and engaging way. These are classroom-friendly and also work great for online or self-learning.

1. Match the Pair

Instructions: Match the subject with the correct possessive pronoun.

Match them like:
I → mine, You → yours, etc.

2. What’s Missing?

Instructions: Fill in the blanks using the correct possessive pronoun.

Sentences:

1. This pen belongs to me. It’s _______.
2. That bag belongs to Sarah. It’s _______.
3. We have a car. The car is _______.
4. This phone is not his. It’s _______.
5. They own the land. It’s _______.

3. Who Owns It? (Group Game)

Instructions:

Give learners small objects or flashcards. Each learner says:

“This is mine.”
Then points to another and asks, “Is this yours?”

Goal: Practice saying mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs.

4. Card Sort Game

Make two sets of cards:

• One set has possessive pronouns (mine, yours, his, etc.)

• Other set has objects with owners (e.g., Ali’s book, Our car, Sarah’s bag)

Activity:
Students match the correct possessive pronoun to the item.

Example:
Ali’s book → his
Sarah’s bag → hers

FAQs About Possessive Pronouns

Q1: What is a possessive pronoun?

A: It is a word that shows who owns something like mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs.

Q2: How is it different from a possessive adjective?

A:

• Possessive adjective is used before a noun. (This is my book.)

• Possessive pronoun is used alone. (This book is mine.)

Q3: Can we use a noun after a possessive pronoun?

A: No. Don’t use a noun after a possessive pronoun.
❌ This is mine book.
✅ This is mine.