Possessive pronouns in English explained. Possessive forms (possessive forms). Possessive adjective its

Possessive pronouns in English, these are pronouns indicating the identity of objects or persons. Possessive pronouns are divided into two types:

• Possessive pronouns-adjectives: my, your, his, her, its, our, their,
• Possessive pronouns-nouns: mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs.

There are other names for these types, for example, possessive adjectives and possessive pronouns; in English they are called possessive determiners and possessive pronuous.

Table: possessive pronouns-adjectives

Possessive pronouns-adjectives indicate that something belongs to a person. They belong to the so-called noun determiners - words that clarify the meaning.

Example sentences:

This is my house. - This is my home.

I know your name. - I know your (your) name.

That is his dog. - This is his dog.

What is her name? - What is her name? (lit.: what's her name?)

Our town is small. – Our city is small.

He is your teacher. - He is your teacher.

This is their choice. - This is their choice.

Features of possessive pronouns

Possessive adjective pronouns have several features.

1. In English, possessive pronouns are used more often than in Russian: ownership is indicated where in Russian it is only implied.

He looked at his watch. – He looked at his wristwatch.

I am walking my dog. - I'm walking the dog.

2. In English there is no analogue of the pronoun “your”; its role is played by one of the possessive pronouns-adjectives.

He knows his trade. - He knows yours craft.

I forgot my password. - I forgot mine password.

3. A possessive pronoun cannot be used with - either an article or a pronoun.

• Maybe: 1) I walked my dog 2) I walked the\a dog.
• Impossible: I walked the\a my dog.

4. Don’t confuse its and it’s

Its is the possessive pronoun “his” (in relation to an inanimate object or animal), and it’s is short for “it is”. This error, by the way, occurs among native speakers.

Table: possessive pronouns-nouns

Possessive noun pronouns replace a noun in a sentence indicating ownership, usually to avoid repetition.

For example:

– Is it your suitcase? - This is your suitcase.

– Yes, it’s my suitcase mine. - Yes, mine.

The pronoun “mine” replaces “my suitcase”.

All possessive pronouns-nouns are given in this table:

Difference between My and Mine, Your and Yours, etc.

The difference between the two types of possessive pronouns may not be understood due to the fact that in Russian my And mine translated the same way - “mine”. In fact, the functions of these pronouns are completely different.

• Pronouns-adjectives are used as noun determiners - this is their only possible role.

This is my boat. - This is my boat.

Here is your passport. - Here is your passport.

• Pronouns-nouns are never used as noun modifiers. They are used like a noun - as a nominal part of a compound nominal predicate.

Let me remind you that a compound nominal consists of the linking verb to be +

We use pronouns to replace nouns in a sentence. Look at the word “pronoun” itself; it contains the main function of this part of speech: “ substitute", that is " instead of a noun" Pronouns are used to diversify speech and not repeat the same word from sentence to sentence.

There are several types of pronouns in English: , and possessive. We paid special attention to each type of pronoun in a separate article.

Let's see how a native speaker teacher Alex talks about words that show that someone owns something.

When we want to say that someone owns something, we use possessive forms. As you can see, Alex identified two forms: Possessive Adjectives And Possessive Pronouns.

Possessive adjectives

Let's start looking at possessive forms with possessive adjectives. Abroad these words are called Possessive Adjectives. Such words show a sign of an object, phenomenon or person, therefore they are classified as adjectives and not pronouns:

• My book. - My book. (what book? – mine)
• His friend. - His friend. (what friend? – his)

In Russian textbooks on English grammar it is written that my (your, his etc.) is a pronoun, but native English teachers insist that it is still an adjective, because it comes before a noun and defines it. Let's look at the sign:

Personal pronoun	Possessive adjective	Translation
I	My	My
You	Your	Is yours
He	His	His
She	Her	Her
It	It's	His her
We	Our	Our
You	Your	Your
They	Their	Their

My cat likes to play with a ball. – My the cat loves to play with the ball.

She wants to talk to your manager - She wants to talk to yours manager.

The teacher found his mistakes. - The teacher found his errors.

I like her dress. - I like her dress.

Our family likes to rest in Crimea, we adore its nature. – Our family loves to relax in Crimea, we adore his nature.

They look after our children. - They look after our children.

He is speaking with their mother - He's talking to their mom.

Please note: in all examples after my (his, their) goes a noun.

In the Russian language there is a universal word “svoy”, which we simply change according to numbers and persons. In English, the words “our”, “ours”, “ours” should be translated as “my”, “ours”, “his”/“hers”, respectively.

She cut mine finger. – She cut her finger.

I love my mom. – I love my mother

Do my work. – Do your work.

Possessive pronouns

If you need to replace a noun in a sentence, you must use one of the possessive pronouns. Usually the noun is replaced so that there is no repetition in the sentence.

• This is not my pen, mine is purple. – This is not my pen, my purple one (replaced my pen on mine).

Personal pronoun	Possessive pronoun	Translation
I	Mine	My
You	Yours	Is yours
He	His	His
She	Hers	Her
It	It's	His her
We	Ours	Our
You	Yours	Your
They	Theirs	Their

Becky! That is mine! - This my, Becky!

My task is easier than yours. - My task is easier than your.

This is not his car, his is blue. - This is not his car. his– blue.

This is a friend of hers. - This her Friend.

It is not their house, theirs is bigger. - This is not their home their more.

The general rule for all possessive pronouns is that there is no need to use a noun after them, and, as a rule, it comes at the end of the sentence. And look at this couple: a friend of mine And my friend. Both phrases mean the same thing - my friend, only after a preposition of use possessive pronouns rather than adjectives ( a friend of mine).

Possessive pronouns go hand in hand with personal pronouns: every personal pronoun has a possessive. Possessive pronouns in English answer the question whose? (whose?), their function is to determine belonging. It is important to note that the absolute form of possessive pronouns in English is used to replace the noun itself, that is, the directly defined word. Let's look at the types of possessive pronouns and the features of their use.

The absolute form of possessive pronouns in English: a parallel with the basic form

Possessive pronouns are characterized by the presence of two forms => basic and absolute. The main form performs the function of definition and its task is to always come before the noun. The absolute form, which is the second, is used directly to replace the noun itself, that is, the word being defined.

Basic form (serves as a modifier of a noun)	Absolute form (serves as a direct replacement for a noun)
Single
My (my, mine, mine, mine) =>	Mine (my, mine, mine, mine)
Your (yours, yours, yours, yours) =>	Yours (yours, yours, yours, yours)
His (his) =>	His (him)
Her =>	Hers (her)
Its (his, her) =>	Its (his, her)
Plural
Our (our, ours, ours, ours) =>	Ours (our, ours, ours)
Your (yours, yours, yours, yours) =>	Yours (yours, yours, yours, yours)
Their =>	Theirs

So, from the table it is clear that possessive pronouns include such as my, your, his, her, its, our, their, mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs.

Examples

• Sarah decided to leave her job to find the better one => Sarah decided to leave her job to find a better one.
• Mr. Thompson took his shirt to see whether it will suit to his trousers => Mr. Thompson took his shirt to see if it would match his trousers.
• We really want to taste our cakes to see whether they are really so delicious as people say => We really want to try our cakes to see if they are really as tasty as people say.

Other English topics: Reflexive pronouns in English: rules, table, examples

The main task of possessive pronouns is to reflect belonging to something or the connection of objects

• My window is of white color and her is brown => My window is white, hers is brown.
• My pencils are sharp but his– not => My pencils are sharp, his are not.

Today we are studying the topic of absolute pronouns, but in order to understand the features of their use, let’s draw a parallel with pronouns in the attached form.

So, as we have already said, attached pronouns are necessarily used with a noun =>

• My rabbit is black and white => My rabbit is black and white.
• Your husband is so handsome I can’t stand but look at him! => Your husband is so handsome that I can’t help but look at him!
• Our plates are of yellow color while our neighbors decided to buy some of red color => Our plates are yellow, but our neighbors decided to buy some red.

Features of using the absolute form

From the examples it is clear that the basic form of possessives cannot be used without a noun, the meaning is lost and the sentence will not be correct. As for absolute pronouns, they are created in order to . Using the absolute form of possessive pronouns is convenient when you need to avoid repeating the subject being defined =>

• It is his pen => This is his pen.
• This pen is his => This pen is his.

Let's give examples with her - hers, since the pronoun his is the same in different forms.

• It is her car => This is her car.
• This car is hers=> This car is hers.

Another striking example =>

• Whose phone is it? —It's his/hers .
• Whose car is this? - This is his/hers.

(his/hers are used instead of his car/her car).

Other English topics: Interrogative pronouns in English (interrogative pronouns)

Important! Absolute pronouns (mine, yours, his, hers, ours, yours, theirs) are intended to replace nouns

• What cats like to eat? => Mine likes Kitekat.
• What do cats like to eat? – Mine loves Kitekat.
• Mine use instead my cat.
• Are this mine? => Yes, it is yours.
• It is mine? - Yes, it's yours.

On a note! If we are talking about the possessive pronoun its, then it is important to remember that it must be used without an apostrophe. If you see the form it's, then this is a shortened version of the phrase it is.

Functions of possessive pronouns in absolute form

Possessive pronouns in absolute form serve several functions in a sentence. The functions are different and depend on the characteristics of the context. Let's look at some striking examples =>

1. As a subject

These are not her pencils. Hers are in her bag => These are not her pencils. She (be) in her bag.

Where is the lollipop? Yours is in fridge. It is too hot here => Where is the lollipop? Yours is in the refrigerator. It's very hot here.

1. In addition function

Our texts are better than yours(instead of your texts) => Our texts are better than yours.

Her shoes are much more glamorous than yours(instead of your shoes) => Her shoes are much more glamorous than yours.

1. As a function of the nominal part of the predicate

Whose chinchilla is this? – It is hers .

Whose chinchilla is this? - Her.

Whose red Maybach is it? – It is mine.

Whose red Maybach is this? - My.

Note! After the absolute form of the noun we we don't put it!

Let's sum it up

The absolute pronoun helps make speech simpler and easier without violating the meaning of the sentence. It is better to study possessive pronouns in absolute form in parallel with a topic that reveals the peculiarities of using the basic form of such pronouns. The topic is easy, and if you support the acquired knowledge with examples, you will understand it very quickly.

The English language is such that sometimes you encounter the most unexpected difficulties where you did not expect any obstacles. My book, that bike is mine...How to say? But these two similar sentences require different possessive pronouns - my and mine. Which pronoun is for which phrase? Let's figure it out.

Definition

My– possessive pronoun-adjective of the attached, or main, form.

Mine– possessive pronoun-noun of absolute form.

Translation of both words – mine/mine/my/mine

Comparison

In fact, to understand the difference in their use, it is enough to take a closer look at the definitions given above. What does an attached form mean? The fact that this pronoun requires another word, namely a noun, the affiliation of which it denotes. Why is the pronoun an adjective? Because it is in this function that it acts for a noun: it is my book - this is my book. “My” in this sentence functions as a definition for the word “book”.

And pay attention to the fact that pronouns of the attached form always appear in the following conjunction: first the pronoun, immediately followed by a noun. To enhance the emphasis on belonging, it is permissible to insert the word own between them: it is my own book - this is my own book.

Accordingly, the absolute form is a form that does not require any additions and does not tolerate anyone or anything next to it. To cope with your responsibilities alone, such a pronoun plays the role of a noun: that bycicle is mine - that bike is mine. “My” here behaves as a completely independent word. Mine can function as both a subject and an object or a nominal part of a predicate.

Conclusions website

1. My is a possessive pronoun of the attached form, while mine is of the absolute form.
2. My is used strictly together with a noun, the affiliation of which this word determines, and the pronoun in the connective comes first. The word own between my and the noun enhances the emphasis of belonging.
3. Mine acts as a noun and does not require a pair.

What are possessive pronouns? These are short words expressing belonging and answering the question “Whose?” / “Whose?” They can be presented in adjunctive or absolute form, which differ somewhat in their appearance and position in the sentence.

Possessive pronouns in attached form

This form is characterized by its position in front of a noun. The easiest way to remember possessive pronouns is paired with their corresponding personal pronouns based on the following simple table, understandable even for children:

Personal pronouns	Possessive pronouns	Examples	Translation of examples
I/I	my / my	my job, my house, my toys	my work, my home, my toys
you / you, you, you	your / yours, yours, yours	your children, your bicycle, your car	your (your, your) children, your bike, your car
he / he	his / his (from m.r.)	his sister, his friend, his uncle	his sister, his friends, his uncle
she / she	her / her	her car, her parents, her brother	her car, her parents, her brother
it / it	its / his (from wed.)	its name, its paws, its hospital	his name, his paws, his hospital
we / we	our / our	our house, our friends, our child	our home, our friends, our child
they / they	their / their	their room, their son, their hands	their room, their son, their hands

Let's look at some examples of the use of possessive pronouns in the attached form. Please note that in English this type of pronoun does not change by case, gender or number, unlike the corresponding Russian pronouns. Compare pronouns in English sentences and their Russian equivalents:

Attached form of the possessive pronoun	Example sentences	Translation of examples
my	I like my job.	I love my (my) job.
	I'm going to wash my face.	I'm going to wash my (my) face.
	I haven't got my key.	I don't have my key.
	My book is on the desk.	My book is on the desk.
your*	I saw you with your brother.	I saw you with your brother.
	Do you enjoy your job?	Do you enjoy your (your) work?
	Your breakfast is on your table.	Your breakfast is on your table.
	I don’t know your address or your telephone number.	I don't know your address or your phone number.
his	Tom likes to work in his garden.	Tom loves to work in his (his) garden.
	Larry lives with his parents.	Larry lives with his (his) parents.
	Say Tom, his sister telephoned.	Tell Tom his sister called.
	Mr. Baker said he had bought a car. Is this his car?	Mr. Baker said he bought the car. This is his car?
her	Ann wants to sell her car.	Ann wants to sell her car.
	Sue often visits her grandmother.	Sue often visits her grandmother.
	My sister sometimes jogs in a park near her house.	My sister sometimes runs in the park near her (her) house.
	Her bag is on the chair in the living room.	Her bag is on a chair in the living room.
its**	This is a beautiful tree. Its leavesare golden and orange.	This is a beautiful tree. Its leaves are gold and orange.
	Cambridge is famous for its university.	Cambridge is famous for its (his) university.
	That dog is playing with its tail.	The dog plays with his (her) tail.
	I am not going to buy this bicycle. Its price is too high.	I'm not going to buy this bike. Its price is too high.
our	We are going to visit our parents.	We are going to visit our parents.
	Let's show our project to the teacher.	Let's show our project to the teacher.
	Our money is in the box.	Our money is in the box.
	We were happy to see our friends.	We are happy to see our friends.
their	Most people aren't happy with their jobs.	Most people are unhappy in their (their) job.
	The children are doing their homework.	The children do their (their) homework.
	Tell your parents, their order will be delivered tomorrow.	Tell your parents their order will be delivered tomorrow.
	Mr. and Mrs. Smith are going to the theater with their friends this evening.	Mr and Mrs Smith are going to the theater with their friends this evening.

*Pronoun your is not written with a capital letter in the middle of a sentence, even if it means a polite address " Your", since in English there is no separate polite form of address of this nature.

**Be careful with pronouns its , because in English it means belonging to an inanimate object or animal, since they belong to the neuter gender in English. In Russian, the category of gender can be different for animals and inanimate objects, so often in Russian its translated as both “his” and “her”. Just don’t confuse the possessive pronoun under any circumstances. its with shortened form it 's , consisting of a pronoun it and verb is.

Probably, for the attentive reader, the fact that quite often (but not always) it is convenient to translate possessive pronouns into Russian using the “ubiquitous” possessive pronoun has not gone unnoticed "mine". But in English there is no such universal pronoun. Therefore, be careful when translating from Russian into English - find the subject in each case and determine what the word “your” means in each specific case: “mine”, “his”, “their”, etc. For example:

I meet my (my) friends on Saturday.	I am meeting my friends on Saturday.
John and Sarah are proud of their (= their) children.	John and Sarah are proud of their children.
Tom likes to lie on his (= his) sofa and do nothing.	Tom likes lying on his sofa and doing nothing.
We are going to sell our (= our) yacht.	We are going to sell our yacht.

Possessive pronouns in absolute form

In general, this subtype of possessive pronouns is both similar to the attached form and has a number of significant differences:

1) Possessive pronouns in absolute form for the most part somewhat longer the first subspecies, but not all of them. Most of these pronouns are formed from their relatives in the adjunctive form by adding -s, but not all of them either. Moreover, the meaning of pronouns in the absolute form is the same as that of their counterparts in the attached form. Let's compare:

Attachable form	Absolute form
my(my car- my car)	mine (The car is mine. - The car is mine.)
your(your flowers - your flowers)	yours (Theseflowers are yours. - These flowers are yours.)
his (his book - his book)	his (This book is his, not yours. - This book is his, not yours.)
her (her dress - her dress)	hers (This dress is hers.- This dress is hers.)
its (its castle – his castle)	its (The castle is its (the town’s). – His (city’s) castle.)
our (our teachers – our teachers)	ours (Those teachers are ours. – Those teachers are ours.)
their (their house – their house)	theirs (The big house is theirs. - The big house is theirs.)

2) The absolute form of the possessive pronoun is used when a qualifying noun is not placed after it. For example:

Absolute form of the possessive pronoun	Example sentences	Translation of examples
mine	This book is mine.	This book is mine.
yours	Those gloves are yours.	Those gloves are yours.
his	George and Ihave bought new cars. The red car is mine and the blue one is his.	George and I bought cars. The red car is mine, and the blue car is his.
hers	This is your house. And show me hers!	This is your home. Show it to me!
its	My dog ​​has got many prizes. All those medals are its.	My dog ​​has many awards. All those medals are hers.
ours	We don't need your suitcases. Give us ours!	We don't need your suitcases. Give us ours!
theirs	Those little children in the garden are theirs.	Those little children in the garden are theirs.

We note that the absolute form of possessive pronouns is no longer translated by the pronoun “our”.

3) The absolute form of possessive pronouns is also characterized by use in stable expressions, for example a friend of mine , where the defined noun stands before the pronoun in absolute form and is connected to it by a preposition of . This verbal turn usually imparts uncertainty to the expression, that is, it means one of the friends, some of the friends. Judge for yourself:

I was at the cinema with a friend of mine.	I was at the cinema with one of my friends.
James saw Jennet in the city center with some friends of hers.	James saw Jennette in the city center with several of her friends.
We are planning to go to a rock concert with some friends of ours.	We are planning to go to a rock concert with several friends.
Do you like playing chess with a friend of yours?	Do you like to play chess with some of your friends?

In general, we can briefly define the difference in the use of the adjunct and absolute forms with a short rule that is understandable even to a child: The “short” form is used BEFORE a NOUN, and the “long” form is used WITHOUT A NOUN.

Come on! I'll show you my room. / Be bolder! I'll show you my (= my) room.	Look! This room is mine. / Look! This room is mine.
Pass Gina her copy-book, please. / Give Gina her notebook, please.	Gina has put the copy-book on the desk. That green copy-book is hers. / Gina put the notebook on the desk. That green notebook is hers.
Takeyour lunch-boxes from the table in the kitchen. / Take your lunch boxes from the kitchen table.	The lunch-boxes in the kitchen are yours. Take them, please. / The lunch boxes in the kitchen are yours. Take them please.

We hope that now choosing the correct possessive pronoun will not present any difficulties for you.