POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS & ADJECTIVES EXERCISE 1 (ESL)
B1–B2 · IntermediatePossessive 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. Try telling them apart in the sentences below. Exercise 1 of 2.
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Choose the correct possessive form — either a possessive adjective (my, your, his…) or a possessive pronoun (mine, yours, his…).
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.”
KEEP PRACTICING — MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU:
More possessive exercises:
Possessive pronouns/adjectives 2 (B1/B2)
Possessive adjectives 1 (A1/A2)
Possessive adjectives 2 (A1/A2)
Possessive adjectives 3 (A1/A2)
Possessive pronouns 1 (A2/B1)
Related pronoun exercises:
Direct object pronouns 1
Direct object pronouns 2
Indefinite pronouns 1 (B1/B2)
Indefinite pronouns 2 (B1/B2)
Subject pronouns 1
Subject pronouns 2 (A1/A2)
Subject pronouns 3 (A1/A2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
More possessive exercises:
Possessive pronouns/adjectives 2 (B1/B2)
Possessive adjectives 1 (A1/A2)
Possessive adjectives 2 (A1/A2)
Possessive adjectives 3 (A1/A2)
Possessive pronouns 1 (A2/B1)
Related pronoun exercises:
Direct object pronouns 1
Direct object pronouns 2
Indefinite pronouns 1 (B1/B2)
Indefinite pronouns 2 (B1/B2)
Subject pronouns 1
Subject pronouns 2 (A1/A2)
Subject pronouns 3 (A1/A2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
