When we want to show that something belongs to somebody or something, we can use possessives:
| NOUN | POSSESSIVE | EXAMPLE |
| I | my | My name is Sandra. |
| you | your | Your new haircut looks great! |
| he | his | He broke his leg. |
| she | her | She sold her computer. |
| it | its | My car is old, so its engine isn’t very powerful. |
| we | our | Our apartment is on the fourth floor. |
| they | their | Candace and Marty named their baby girl Donna. |
| Mary | Mary’s | Mary’s phone number is 555-4321. |
| Joe | Joe’s | Joe’s favorite color is green. |
| the boy | the boy’s | The boy’s clothes are dirty. |
| parents | parents’ | My parents’ names are Patrick and Gloria. |
| cat | cat’s | My cat’s name is Ginger. |
| country | country’s | My country’s flag is red, white, and blue. |
As you can see from its, cat’s, and country’s, it is not necessary to be a person in order to use a possessive. Here are more examples of using possessives with things:
- Today’s meeting will be at 1 PM.
- This website’s goal is to teach English.
= The goal of this website is to teach English. - Who do you think this year’s skating champion will be?
Don’t confuse its (possessive) with it’s (contraction for “it is”)!
The cat ate it’s food
The cat ate its food.
Its illegal for a 17-year-old to buy alcohol.
It’s illegal for a 17-year-old to buy alcohol.
Learn more: How to form possessives when the word already ends in S
Test your understanding of possessives in English with this quiz!
Possessives Quiz
Congratulations - you have completed Possessives Quiz.
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Your answers are highlighted below.
Question 1 |
I can't eat Thai food. _________ too spicy for me.
Its | |
Is | |
It's |
Question 2 |
My friend and I drive to work together because _________ offices are in the same neighborhood.
its | |
their | |
our |
Question 3 |
I don't feel well. __________ stomach hurts.
I'm | |
my | |
your |
Question 4 |
Mary was ____________ mother.
Jesus's | |
Jesu's | |
Jesus' |
Question 4 Explanation:
When there is a name that ends with "s," we add ' but no extra s.
Question 5 |
We had a lot of cold days in January, but _____________ weather should be warmer.
Februarys | |
Februarys' | |
February's |
Question 6 |
Where did you go on __________ last vacation?
your | |
you're | |
you |
Question 7 |
I think you'll really like the new television - _________ screen is huge!
its | |
your | |
it's |
Question 8 |
My ____________ toys are quite expensive.
children's | |
childrens' | |
childrens's |
Question 8 Explanation:
When the plural form is irregular, like child --> children, we add 's to make the possessive.
Question 9 |
Dan and Benny were late to ___________ first high school class.
his | |
their | |
its |
Question 10 |
"Have you been to any of the new restaurants on Main Street?"
"No. __________ prices are too high."
Its | |
My | |
Their |
Question 10 Explanation:
"Their" refers to "restaurants" - the prices of the restaurants are too high.
Question 11 |
These ______________ keyboards are broken.
computer's | |
computers's | |
computers' |
Question 12 |
I think you'll like the new television. ________ screen is really big!
His | |
Their | |
Its |
Question 13 |
"Do you know what ___________ favorite band is?"
"I'm not sure, but I think she likes rock music."
its | |
Maria's | |
John's |
Question 13 Explanation:
We know the correct option is "Maria's" because the answer to the question has "she"
Question 14 |
My sister lost _________ glasses. Now she can't see anything!
her | |
his | |
their |
Question 15 |
Good news! John passed __________ driving test!
his | |
her | |
your |
Once you are finished, click the button below. Any items you have not completed will be marked incorrect.
There are 15 questions to complete.
