What are pronouns?
Pronouns are words that take the place of nouns. They help sentences sound smoother and keep us from repeating the same words over and over.
- Maria has a book. She is reading.
- The dog is hungry. It wants food.
A pronoun must clearly refer to a noun so the reader knows who or what is being talked about.
What are possessive pronouns?
Possessive pronouns show ownership. They tell who owns or has something.
- This is my pencil.
- The book is hers.
Possessive pronouns answer the question: Whose is it?
Types of possessive pronouns
There are two main types of possessive pronouns: those used before a noun and those that stand alone.
- Used before a noun: my, your, his, her, its, our, their
- Used alone: mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs
Possessive pronouns do not use apostrophes. For example, its shows ownership, but it’s means it is.
Using possessive pronouns correctly
Use possessive pronouns to show who owns something in a clear and correct way.
- This is her backpack.
- The red bike is mine.
- The students finished their work.
Make sure the possessive pronoun matches the owner, not the object being owned.
Possessive pronouns in sentences
Reading and writing complete sentences helps you understand how possessive pronouns work.
- That lunchbox is his.
- We brought our supplies to class.
- The cat cleaned its paws.
If the sentence sounds clear and shows ownership, the possessive pronoun is likely used correctly.