18.5. Possessive Adjectives: My, Your, His, Her, Its, Our, Their
Possessive adjectives are essential components of English grammar, especially for beginners at the A1 level. They help us show ownership or relationships between people and things. Understanding how to use possessive adjectives correctly in both statements and questions is crucial for effective communication. In this section, we will explore the use of possessive adjectives and how they function in questions.
Understanding Possessive Adjectives
Possessive adjectives modify nouns to show ownership or possession. They answer the question "Whose?" and are placed before the noun they modify. Here are the basic possessive adjectives in English:
- My - used to indicate possession by the speaker. Example: "This is my book."
- Your - used to indicate possession by the listener. Example: "Is this your pen?"
- His - used to indicate possession by a male. Example: "That is his car."
- Her - used to indicate possession by a female. Example: "This is her bag."
- Its - used to indicate possession by a non-human subject. Example: "The cat licked its paws."
- Our - used to indicate possession by a group including the speaker. Example: "This is our house."
- Their - used to indicate possession by a group not including the speaker. Example: "That is their garden."
Possessive Adjectives in Questions
When forming questions with possessive adjectives, the structure of the sentence changes slightly. The possessive adjective still precedes the noun, but the sentence is structured to facilitate a question. Let's explore how to form questions using possessive adjectives with various examples:
1. Yes/No Questions
In yes/no questions, the auxiliary verb comes before the subject, followed by the possessive adjective and the noun. For example:
- Is this your book?
- Are those their shoes?
- Is that his laptop?
- Is this our classroom?
In these examples, the structure is: Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Possessive Adjective + Noun.
2. Wh- Questions
Wh- questions use question words such as who, what, where, when, why, and how. When using possessive adjectives in wh- questions, the structure follows this pattern:
- Whose book is this? (In this case, "Whose" acts as a possessive adjective itself, so no additional possessive adjective is needed.)
- What is your favorite color?
- Where is his office?
- When is her birthday?
- Why is their dog barking?
The structure here is: Wh- Question Word + Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Possessive Adjective + Noun.
Common Mistakes and Tips
Beginners often make mistakes when using possessive adjectives, especially in questions. Here are some common errors and tips to avoid them:
- Confusing Possessive Adjectives with Possessive Pronouns: Remember, possessive adjectives modify nouns and are used before them, while possessive pronouns stand alone. For example, "This is my book" (possessive adjective) vs. "This book is mine" (possessive pronoun).
- Incorrect Word Order: In questions, ensure the auxiliary verb precedes the subject. For example, "Is this your book?" not "This is your book?"
- Using the Wrong Possessive Adjective: Make sure the possessive adjective matches the owner. For example, use "his" for males and "her" for females.
- Overlooking 'Its': Remember that "its" is used for non-human subjects. It is often confused with "it's," which is a contraction for "it is."
Practice Exercises
To master the use of possessive adjectives in questions, practice is essential. Here are some exercises to help reinforce your understanding:
- Form yes/no questions using the following prompts:
- your / car (Is this your car?)
- their / house (Is that their house?)
- his / jacket (Is this his jacket?)
- Form wh- questions using the following prompts:
- your / favorite / food (What is your favorite food?)
- her / new / job (Where is her new job?)
- our / meeting (When is our meeting?)
- Correct the mistakes in these sentences:
- Is this yours book? (Is this your book?)
- What is him name? (What is his name?)
- Where is their's car? (Where is their car?)
Conclusion
Mastering possessive adjectives is a fundamental step in learning English, especially for beginners at the A1 level. Understanding how to use them in questions allows learners to communicate more effectively and clearly. By practicing the formation of both yes/no and wh- questions with possessive adjectives, learners can develop a strong foundation in English grammar. Remember to pay attention to the word order and the correct use of each possessive adjective to avoid common mistakes. With consistent practice, using possessive adjectives in questions will become second nature.
