subject + be + possessive pronounUse this pattern to say who something belongs to. No noun comes after the possessive pronoun.
Possessive Pronouns
A2Use mine, yours, his, hers, ours, and theirs to show possession without a noun after them. They often come after be or replace a repeated noun.
What you'll learn
- Choose the possessive pronoun that matches the owner.
- Use possessive pronouns without a noun after them.
- Say who something belongs to after be.
- Replace a repeated noun when it is already clear.
- Keep its separate from mine, yours, his, hers, ours, and theirs.
Structure
noun phrase + be + ... + possessive pronounUse the possessive pronoun alone when the repeated noun is already understood from the first part.
Build a sentence
Owner
Thing
This bookishers
This book is hers.
Use hers for she. Not *her* after is.
When to use
Who does it belong to?
Use a possessive pronoun after be to identify the owner: This seat is ours. That umbrella is hers.
Avoid repetition
Replace a repeated noun when the meaning is clear: My desk is near yours. His coffee is colder than hers.
Comparing things
Use possessive pronouns in comparisons: Our office is bigger than theirs. My answer is different from his.
Markers
is mineis yoursis hersis hisis oursis theirs
In contrast
vs possessive-nouns
Possessive nouns name the owner before the thing: Anna's bag. Possessive pronouns stand alone: The bag is hers.
Common mistakes
Wrong
This is mine car.
Correct
This car is mine.
Mine replaces the noun phrase. Do not put a noun after it.
Wrong
That jacket is her.
Correct
That jacket is hers.
After be, use the possessive pronoun form: hers, not her.
Wrong
Maria found a key. The key is his.
Correct
Maria found a key. The key is hers.
Choose the pronoun by the owner. Maria = hers.
Wrong
My phone is newer than your phone.
Correct
My phone is newer than yours.
When the noun is already clear, use a possessive pronoun to replace it.
Wrong
The company has a logo. The logo is its.
Correct
The company has a logo. It has its own logo.
Its is used before a noun. It does not work alone in this pattern like mine or yours.
Common misconceptions
❝ I can use my and mine in the same position. ❞
My goes before a noun: my bag. Mine stands alone: The bag is mine.
❝ Every possessive pronoun must end differently from the form before a noun. ❞
Not all of them change. His stays his before a noun and alone: his coat / The coat is his.
Skills in this rule (5)
CHOOSE_MINE_YOURS_HIS_HERS_OURS_THEIRSw5Choose the right possessive pronoun for the owner
Use mine, yours, his, hers, ours, or theirs to show who something belongs to. Match the pronoun to the owner, not to the thing.
NO_NOUN_AFTER_MINEw5Use possessive pronouns without a following noun
Say This book is mine, not mine book. A possessive pronoun replaces the noun phrase, so no noun comes after it.
USE_AFTER_BEw4Use possessive pronouns after be to identify ownership
Possessive pronouns often come after be: It is mine. These seats are ours. Use them when the thing is already clear from the context.
USE_ALONE_WHEN_NOUN_IS_CLEARw4Use possessive pronouns alone when the noun is already clear
Use a possessive pronoun to avoid repeating the same noun: My desk is near yours. The noun is understood from the context.
DISTINGUISH_ITS_AND_ITSw3Keep its separate from the possessive pronoun set
The possessive pronoun set here is mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs. Its is a possessive word before a noun, not a stand-alone possessive pronoun in this pattern.