Possessive Pronouns
Some words show that something belongs to someone. Words like my, your, his, and her tell us who owns a thing.
What You'll Learn
- The words my, your, his, and her that show who owns something
- How to pick the right word for the owner
When to Use
- Talking about your things: "I like my bag."
- Talking about a friend's things: "That is her doll."
- Asking about someone's things: "Is this your pen?"
How to Form
The word you pick depends on who the owner is.
| Owner | Word to Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I (yourself) | my | My book is here. |
| you | your | Your cat is big. |
| he (a boy) | his | His hat is red. |
| she (a girl) | her | Her bag is new. |
These words always come before the thing.
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| my + ... | my pencil |
| your + . | your shirt |
| his + .. | his ball |
| her + .. | her doll |
Key Rules
- Look at the owner: Use his for a boy. Use her for a girl. "Ali has a dog. His dog is brown."
- Put it before the thing: Say "my book", not "book my."
- Do not use "a" or "the" with it: Say "my pen", not "the my pen."
Common Mistakes
| Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ali lost her pencil. | Ali lost his pencil. | Ali is a boy, so use his |
| I like you dog. | I like your dog. | "You" is not the same as "your" |
| The my bag is blue. | My bag is blue. | Do not put "the" before my |
Clue Words
Look at who owns the thing:
- I, me --> my
- you --> your
- he, a boy's name --> his
- she, a girl's name --> her
Tip: Ask "Who does this belong to?" If it is a boy, use his. If it is a girl, use her. If it is you, use my.
Practice Tips
- Find the owner: Read the sentence. Find who owns the thing. Then pick the right word.
- Check boy or girl: Is the owner a boy or a girl? Boy = his. Girl = her.
Quick Reference
| Word | Owner | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| my | I (yourself) | My shoe is under the bed. |
| your | you | Is this your water bottle? |
| his | he (a boy) | His father is a bus driver. |
| her | she (a girl) | Her mother packed her lunch. |