What are Possessive Adjectives?
FAQs on Possessive Adjectives: Understanding and Using My, Your, His, Her, Its
1. What is a possessive adjective?
A possessive adjective is a word used to show ownership or a relationship between the noun and someone or something. Examples include "my," "your," "his," "her," "its," "our," and "their."
2. How do possessive adjectives differ from possessive pronouns?
Possessive adjectives modify a noun to show ownership, while possessive pronouns replace a noun. For example, "my book" (possessive adjective) versus "mine" (possessive pronoun).
3. Can possessive adjectives be used at the beginning of a sentence?
Yes, possessive adjectives can be placed at the beginning of a sentence. For example, "My cat is very playful."
4. Are possessive adjectives used with singular or plural nouns?
Possessive adjectives can be used with both singular and plural nouns, depending on the context. For example, "my book" (singular) and "my books" (plural).
5. What is the possessive adjective for 'it'?
The possessive adjective for "it" is "its," which is used to show ownership by a non-human or inanimate object. For example, "The dog wagged its tail."
6. Can possessive adjectives be used with proper nouns?
Yes, possessive adjectives can be used with proper nouns. For example, "Her speech was inspiring," where "her" refers to a specific person.
7. Do possessive adjectives change form based on gender?
In English, possessive adjectives like "his" and "her" change based on gender, while others like "my," "your," "our," and "their" do not.
8. How do you use possessive adjectives in questions?
Possessive adjectives are used in questions to ask about ownership. For example, "Is this your pen?" where "your" is the possessive adjective.
9. Can possessive adjectives be used with non-living things?
Yes, possessive adjectives can be used with non-living things to indicate ownership or association. For example, "The car lost its way."
10. What are common mistakes made with possessive adjectives?
Common mistakes include confusing possessive adjectives with possessive pronouns (e.g., using "mine" instead of "my") and incorrect placement in a sentence.