What Are Possessive Adjectives in English Grammar?

As we often like to remind our readers, once you get further into the finer aspects of English grammar, the underlying concepts are often very accessible.

Which brings us to the topic of today’s post: what are possessive adjectives?

Possessive Adjectives: What They Are and How to Use Them

Possessive adjectives are words that come before a noun or pronoun to show ownership. That means they are modifiers that specify possession of nouns or pronouns (usually things, names, or places).

You likely come across possessive adjectives every day in your writing and speech. They include my, your, our, his, her, their, and its, along with some variations such as whose.

When you consider these words and then return to the definition, the function and idea of a possessive adjective become clear. Each of these words modifies the noun by telling us to what or to whom something belongs. It is not just a donut: it is my donut.

Possessive Adjectives: More Examples

Let’s look at a few more possessive adjectives in action. Then you can try to identify them on your own.

Her room is very messy.

It rains more often in our part of the country.

His car has new tires.

I have always liked their house.

My day starts with a cup of coffee.

As you can see, each of these words indicates ownership of a thing or a concept.

Now you that you know what possessive adjectives are and what they do, let’s test your understanding.

Pop Quiz

Identify the possessive adjective in each sentence.

1. I don’t know whose coat that is.

2. I’m saving for my dream vacation.

3. Our wedding was a small affair.

4. The dog always hides its toys.

5. We never know what her next statement will be.

Pop Quiz Answers

1. I don’t know whose coat that is.

2. I’m saving for my dream vacation.

3. Our wedding was a small affair.

4. The dog always hides its toys.

5. We never know what her next statement will be.

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