1. What are possessive adjectives?
Possessive adjectives show ownership or possession and modify nouns by indicating to whom or to what something belongs. They are used before a noun to describe it in terms of ownership.
| Subject | Possessive adjective | Object pronoun |
|---|---|---|
| I | My | Me |
| You | Your | You |
| He | His | Him |
| She | Her | Her |
| It | Its | It |
| We | Our | Us |
| They | Their | Them |
2. Possessive adjectives examples
MyRefers to something that belongs to the speaker.
● My book is on the table.
YourRefers to something that belongs to the person being spoken to (singular or plural).
● Your car is parked outside.
HisRefers to something that belongs to a male person.
● His jacket is very warm.
HerRefers to something that belongs to a female person.
● Her phone is ringing.
ItsRefers to something that belongs to a non-human entity or object.
● The dog wagged its tail.
OurRefers to something that belongs to the speaker and one or more other people.
● Our house is blue.
TheirRefers to something that belongs to multiple people.
● Their friends are coming over.
3. What are object pronouns?
Object pronouns are pronouns that are used as the object of a verb or a preposition in a sentence. They receive the action of the verb and can refer to people or things.
4. Object pronouns examples
MeUsed when referring to oneself.
● She called me yesterday.
YouUsed when referring to the person or people being spoken to.
● I saw you at the park.
HimUsed when referring to a male person.
● I met him at the conference.
HerUsed when referring to a female person.
● I gave her a gift.
ItUsed when referring to a non-human entity or object.
● I found it on the table.
UsUsed when referring to the speaker and one or more other people.
● They invited us to the party.
ThemUsed when referring to multiple people or things.
● I saw them at the movies.
5. Possessive adjectives vs object pronouns
The table below summarises the difference between possessive adjectives and object pronouns.
| Possessive adjectives | Object pronouns | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Show ownership | Replace the object of the verb |
| Function | Modify nouns | Act as the object in a sentence |
| Placement | Before a noun | After verbs or prepositions |
| Examples | my, your, his | me, you, him |
6. Possessive adjectives in sentences
I am wearing a yellow shirt. → My shirt is yellow.
You have a beautiful house. → Your house is beautiful.
He is wearing a yellow shirt. → His shirt is yellow.
She is wearing red shoes. → Her shoes are red.
The cat is eating a pizza. → The cat is eating its pizza.
We are wearing red shoes. → Our shoes are red.
They are wearing red shoes. → Their shoes are red.
7. Object pronouns in sentences
Will you marry me?
I will always love you.
She is kissing him.
He is kissing her.
We don’t have a house anymore. We sold it yesterday.
Does the government give us the care we need?
She is teaching them.