Possessive Adjectives

Possessive adjectives are used to shown possession of something.[1]https://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/possessive_adjectives.htm However, when we use possessive adjectives with people it refers to relationship.

possessive adjectives

Adjectives in English

Adjectives in English must come before the noun.

Adjective + noun

How Possessive Adjectives Work

In addition, the possessive adjective must agree with the person or thing possessing and not the thing that is being possessed.

For example:

My dog is big. (my doesn’t refer to the dog, but to “I”)

His dog is big. (his doesn’t refer to the dog, but to “he”)

Our dog is big. (our doesn’t refer to the dog, but to “we”)

Their dog is big. (their doesn’t refer to the dog, but to “they”)

Adjective Noun Plural Agreement

Unlike other languages, there isn’t any plural agreement between the possessive adjective and noun (we don’t add “s”)

Adjective ≠ Noun

For example:

Our dogs are big. (correct)

Ours dogs are big. (incorrect)

However, there needs to be noun and verb agreement.

Noun = verb

For example:

Our dog is big. (singular noun + singular verb)

Our dogs are big. (plural noun + plural verb)

Its vs. It’s

In English, don’t confuse its vs. it’s.

Its = possessive adjective

It’s = it is