A possessive adjective is always followed by a noun. Examples are: your phone, my brother, his dog etc.
A possessive pronoun is used without a noun. Examples are: his, hers, yours, theirs, ours, mine etc.
Read the following sentences and state whether the pronouns are used as possessive pronouns or possessive adjectives.
1. We went to their house yesterday.
2. James has never invited me to his parties.
3. Where is your umbrella?
4. The students are doing their homework.
5. Your car is faster than hers.
6. This is my passport. Where is yours?
7. You have never visited our home.
8. Her wardrobe was full of nice clothes.
9. This is not your phone. It is his.
10. The cat has had its breakfast.
11. ‘Whose phone is this?’ ‘It is mine.’
Answers
1. We went to their house yesterday. (their – possessive adjective)
2. James has never invited me to his parties. (his – possessive adjective)
3. Where is your umbrella? (your – possessive adjective)
4. The students are doing their homework. (their – possessive adjective)
5. Your car is faster than hers. (your – possessive adjective; hers – possessive pronoun)
6. This is my passport. Where is yours? (my – possessive adjective; yours – possessive pronoun)
7. You have never visited our home. (our – possessive adjective)
8. Her wardrobe was full of nice clothes. (her – possessive adjective)
9. This is not your phone. It is his. (your – possessive adjective; his – possessive pronoun)
10. The cat has had its breakfast. (its – possessive adjective)
11. ‘Whose phone is this?’ ‘It is mine.’ (mine – possessive pronoun)
