POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS & ADJECTIVES EXERCISE 1 (ESL)
level: Intermediate (B1/B2)
Possessive adjectives and possessive pronouns look similar and are often confused — but they work differently in a sentence. The key is whether a noun follows the possessive word or not. This exercise practices telling them apart. Exercise 1 of 2.
Grammar review
Possessive adjectives vs possessive pronouns
English has two types of possessive words. Knowing when to use each is the key skill in this exercise.
POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES — come before a noun:
my, your, his, her, its, our, their
“That’s her bicycle.” “Is this your bag?”
POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS — stand alone, replace noun + adjective:
mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs
“That bicycle is hers.” “Is this bag yours?”
The test: Is there a noun directly after the possessive word?
Yes → possessive adjective: “her bicycle”
No → possessive pronoun: “It’s hers.” / “That’s hers.”
Note: His is the same for both forms:
Adjective: “That’s his car.” Pronoun: “That car is his.”
English has two types of possessive words. Knowing when to use each is the key skill in this exercise.
POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES — come before a noun:
my, your, his, her, its, our, their
“That’s her bicycle.” “Is this your bag?”
POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS — stand alone, replace noun + adjective:
mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs
“That bicycle is hers.” “Is this bag yours?”
The test: Is there a noun directly after the possessive word?
Yes → possessive adjective: “her bicycle”
No → possessive pronoun: “It’s hers.” / “That’s hers.”
Note: His is the same for both forms:
Adjective: “That’s his car.” Pronoun: “That car is his.”
Choose the correct possessive form — either a possessive adjective (my, your, his…) or a possessive pronoun (mine, yours, his…).
CHECK OUT OUR OTHER POSSESSIVE EXERCISES:
Possessive adjectives 1 (A1/A2)
Possessive adjectives 2 (A1/A2)
Possessive pronouns & adjectives 1 (B1/B2)
Possessive pronouns & adjectives 2 (B1/B2)
More grammar exercises
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Possessive adjectives 1 (A1/A2)
Possessive adjectives 2 (A1/A2)
Possessive pronouns & adjectives 1 (B1/B2)
Possessive pronouns & adjectives 2 (B1/B2)
More grammar exercises
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