Possessive Pronouns (Mine, Yours, His, Hers, Its, Ours, Theirs) — Grammar Rules and Exercises — English 2nd Year Middle School — Algerian Curriculum

Introduction

Possessive pronouns are words that replace a noun phrase to show ownership or possession. They help avoid repetition and make sentences clearer. This lesson is part of the English curriculum for 2nd Year Middle School in Algeria.

What Are Possessive Pronouns?

Possessive pronouns show who owns something. They replace both the possessor and the thing that is possessed. Unlike possessive adjectives (my, your, his, etc.), possessive pronouns stand alone and are not followed by a noun.

Examples:

• This book is mine. (This is my book → mine replaces “my book”)
• That pen is yours. (That is your pen → yours replaces “your pen”)
• The house is theirs. (It is their house → theirs replaces “their house”)

Possessive Adjectives vs Possessive Pronouns

Subject Pronoun	Possessive Adjective	Possessive Pronoun	Example
I	my	mine	This bag is mine.
you	your	yours	That seat is yours.
he	his	his	The jacket is his.
she	her	hers	This dress is hers.
it	its	its*	* (rarely used)
we	our	ours	The classroom is ours.
they	their	theirs	The garden is theirs.

* Note: “Its” as a possessive pronoun is extremely rare. We usually avoid it.

How to Use Possessive Pronouns

Rule 1: Possessive pronouns replace a noun phrase

• This is my book. → This is mine.
• Those are your shoes. → Those are yours.

Rule 2: Possessive pronouns come at the end of a sentence or clause

• Whose phone is this? It’s mine.
• The red car is hers.

Rule 3: Possessive pronouns do NOT change form for singular or plural

• This pencil is mine. (singular)
• These pencils are mine. (plural — same form!)

Examples in Context

Situation	Question	Answer with Possessive Pronoun
Classroom	Whose pencil is this?	It’s mine.
Lunch	Is this sandwich yours?	No, it’s his.
Home	Whose room is this?	It’s ours.
School	Are those books theirs?	Yes, they are theirs.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
This is my.	This is mine.	“My” needs a noun after it.
This book is my’s.	This book is mine.	No apostrophe in possessive pronouns.
Is this car your’s?	Is this car yours?	No apostrophe! (But note: possessive adjectives DO NOT have apostrophes either.)

Exercises

1. Replace the words in bold with a possessive pronoun:
   • This is my book. → This is ……………
   • That is her bag. → That is ……………
   • These are our chairs. → These are ……………
   • Is this your pen? → Is this ……………?
2. Complete the sentences with the correct possessive pronoun (mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs):
   • Whose phone is this? It’s …………… . (my phone)
   • This house is …………… . (their house)
   • Those bicycles are …………… . (our bicycles)
   • The white cat is …………… . (her cat)
3. Correct the mistakes:
   • This book is her’s. → ……………
   • The car is my. → ……………
   • Is this bag your’s? → ……………

Summary

• Possessive pronouns replace a noun + possessive adjective (my book → mine)
• Forms: mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs
• They do NOT need a noun after them
• They do NOT change form for singular/plural
• NO apostrophe! (its is the possessive, it’s = it is)

📍 Similar Lessons

• Plural of Nouns — Regular and Irregular Forms — English 2nd Year Middle School
• Object Pronouns (Me, You, Him, Her, It, Us, Them) — English 2nd Year Middle School