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 |
Good news! John passed __________ driving test!
his | |
your | |
her |
Question 2 |
I think you'll like the new television. ________ screen is really big!
Their | |
His | |
Its |
Question 3 |
"Have you been to any of the new restaurants on Main Street?"
"No. __________ prices are too high."
My | |
Their | |
Its |
Question 3 Explanation:
"Their" refers to "restaurants" - the prices of the restaurants are too high.
Question 4 |
My ____________ toys are quite expensive.
childrens' | |
children's | |
childrens's |
Question 4 Explanation:
When the plural form is irregular, like child --> children, we add 's to make the possessive.
Question 5 |
These ______________ keyboards are broken.
computers' | |
computer's | |
computers's |
Question 6 |
I don't feel well. __________ stomach hurts.
my | |
I'm | |
your |
Question 7 |
Dan and Benny were late to ___________ first high school class.
their | |
its | |
his |
Question 8 |
My friend and I drive to work together because _________ offices are in the same neighborhood.
its | |
our | |
their |
Question 9 |
We had a lot of cold days in January, but _____________ weather should be warmer.
Februarys' | |
Februarys | |
February's |
Question 10 |
Where did you go on __________ last vacation?
you | |
you're | |
your |
Question 11 |
My sister lost _________ glasses. Now she can't see anything!
his | |
her | |
their |
Question 12 |
I think you'll really like the new television - _________ screen is huge!
its | |
your | |
it's |
Question 13 |
I can't eat Thai food. _________ too spicy for me.
It's | |
Its | |
Is |
Question 14 |
Mary was ____________ mother.
Jesus's | |
Jesus' | |
Jesu's |
Question 14 Explanation:
When there is a name that ends with "s," we add ' but no extra s.
Question 15 |
"Do you know what ___________ favorite band is?"
"I'm not sure, but I think she likes rock music."
Maria's | |
its | |
John's |
Question 15 Explanation:
We know the correct option is "Maria's" because the answer to the question has "she"
Once you are finished, click the button below. Any items you have not completed will be marked incorrect.
There are 15 questions to complete.
