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.
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)
