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Adjectives Quiz

Mixed Adjectives

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What are Possessive Adjective? Examples & Usage | Tips and Tricks

Explanation of Possessive adjective

Possessive adjectives are words that are used to show possession or ownership of a noun. They are also sometimes called possessive pronouns, although some grammarians make a distinction between the two. Possessive adjectives include words like “my,” “your,” “his,” “her,” “its,” “our,” and “their.”

Table of Possessive Adjective

Importance of Understanding Possessive Adjective

Understanding possessive adjectives is important because they help clarify who owns or possesses something in a sentence. They also help to avoid ambiguity and ensure clear communication. Proper use of possessive adjectives can also help to make your writing or speech more professional and polished.

Usage of Possessive Adjective

Possessive adjectives are used to modify a noun or noun phrase. They usually come before the noun they modify. For example, “my dog,” “her car,” “our house.”

Examples in Simple Sentences

That is my book.
His phone is ringing.
Their dog is barking.
Our vacation was amazing.
Her favorite color is blue.

Example in Complicated Sentences

Mary and her sister went to their grandmother’s house. (the grandmother belongs to Mary and her sister)
The company lost its biggest client. (the client belonged to the company)
The teacher praised his students for their hard work. (the students worked hard and the teacher praised them)

Here are some tips and tricks for using possessive adjectives

Remember that the possessive adjective must agree with the gender and number of the noun it modifies. For example, “his car” but “her cars.”
Avoid using possessive adjectives with inanimate objects, as this can sound awkward or confusing. For example, instead of saying “the tree’s branches,” say “the branches of the tree.”
Use possessive adjectives sparingly to avoid repetition or redundancy. For example, instead of saying “my dog and my cat,” say “my dog and cat.”
When in doubt, use the possessive form rather than a prepositional phrase. For example, say “Mary’s coat” rather than “the coat of Mary.”
When using possessive adjectives in writing, make sure to proofread carefully for errors. In speech, use proper pronunciation and intonation to ensure that your meaning is clear.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Common mistakes to avoid when using possessive adjectives include confusing “it’s” (a contraction of “it is”) with “its” (the possessive form of “it”), and using an apostrophe with a possessive adjective that already ends in “s” (e.g. “Jesus’ teachings” instead of “Jesus’s teachings”).

Correct: My sister is a doctor.
Explanation: “My” is a possessive adjective that indicates ownership or relationship. In this sentence, “my” shows that the speaker has a sister who is a doctor.

Incorrect: His donut is bigger than him..
Explanation: This sentence is incorrect because “his” is a possessive pronoun, not a possessive adjective. A possessive pronoun replaces a noun, while a possessive adjective modifies a noun. The correct possessive adjective to use in this sentence would be “his,” as in “his big donut is bigger than him.”

Short Sentence Examples of Possessive Adjective

His pizza had too many toppings.
Our cat thinks she owns the house.
Your car needs a wash.
Their dog chewed up our shoes.
My mom loves her new hat.

(FAQs) About Possessive Adjective

Possessive adjectives are used to modify a noun, while possessive pronouns are used to replace a noun. For example, “my book” is a possessive adjective, while “mine” is a possessive pronoun.
Yes, technically possessive adjectives can be used with inanimate objects, but it is generally considered more natural to use phrases like “the handle of the door” instead of “the door’s handle.”
Yes, you can use possessive adjectives with singular nouns that end in “s,” but you have two options for the spelling: you can either add an apostrophe and another “s” (e.g. “Charles’s book”), or you can just add an apostrophe (e.g. “Charles’ book”).
Yes, “its” is the possessive form of “it,” while “it’s” is a contraction of “it is” or “it has.”

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