English Grammar Understanding the Basics - Evelyn P. Altenberg, Robert M. Vago 2010
Lesson 14: Possessives
Unit 3: Determiners
Part I: Kinds of words
Possessives are words that indicate ownership or belonging. The possessives are underlined in the sentences below.
1. I sold my car.
2. Betty’s neighbor is an architect.
The possessive in sentence 1 is called a possessive pronoun; the possessive in sentence 2 is called a possessive proper noun. Notice that, just like articles and demonstratives, possessive pronouns and possessive proper nouns can appear directly before a noun. We’ll discuss each of these separately.
Possessive pronouns
There are just a few possessive pronouns that function as determiners. These are commonly referred to as possessive pronouns with determiner function or possessive adjectives. We will call them simply determiner possessive pronouns. (For another function of possessive pronouns, see Lesson 24.)
Quick tip 14.1
The determiner possessive pronouns are: my, your, his, her, its, our, their.
Test yourself 14.1
Underline the determiner possessive pronoun in each of the sentences below.
Sample: My school won the state championship last year.
Getting started (answers on p. 55)
1. His face always shows what he’s thinking.
2. They go to their house in the mountains every summer.
3. It took three days for your letter to get here.
4. We liked her mother.
5. Our product is superior to what you have to offer.
More practice (answers on the website)
6. The price of the stock I am considering buying does not reflect its true worth.
7. Would you like to take a ride in your new car?
8. Friends, I will be counting on your votes.
9. The children went to the movies together with their father.
10. Matt does not share his feelings easily.
Possessive proper nouns
The possessive proper nouns are underlined in this next sentence:
3. I saw Mary’s cat chase Mrs. Smith’s dog, which ran across Jim’s yard.
Remember, names do not have to be names of just people. For example, London’s, America’s, and IBM’s are each possessive proper nouns: London’s bridges, America’s highways, IBM’s products. (See Lesson 6 to remind yourself about proper nouns.)
To enhance your understanding
While possessive proper nouns can function as determiners, possessive common nouns (see Lesson 6), for example the girl's hat, are considered to be adjectives. (See Lesson 16 for more about adjectives.) This is because possessive common nouns, but not possessive proper nouns, can have a determiner in front of them - keeping in mind that a noun will generally have just one determiner introducing it. See the following examples:
4. The girl’s hat is new. (girl’s = possessive common noun)
5. *The Mary’s hat is new. (Mary’s = possessive proper noun)
Test yourself 14.2
Underline the possessive proper noun in each of the sentences below.
Sample: Gone With the Wind’s cast was amazing.
Getting started (answers on p. 56)
1. Leah’s eyes met those of the man at the counter.
2. It was Harry’s turn to say something.
3. They were impressed by Rome’s restaurants.
4. Mickey Mouse’s picture is hanging on my wall.
5. John always wanted to visit Harvard’s campus.
More practice (answers on the website)
6. France’s soccer team lost to another team.
7. Macy’s women’s department is on the third floor.
8. Mrs. Johnson’s office is located directly above mine.
9. After dinner, we went up to Beth’s apartment.
10. I never get tired of The Beatles’ songs.
Test yourself 14.3
Underline the possessive determiner in each of the sentences below. The determiner will either be a possessive pronoun or a possessive proper noun.
Sample: Your committee is meeting tomorrow.
Getting started (answers on p. 56)
1. She suggested that it was all Martin’s fault.
2. Why don’t you give it to your daughter?
3. That was a breathtaking view of New York’s skyline.
4. He bought a souvenir for his son.
5. The Adamses did not care for their new neighbors.
More practice (answers on the website)
6. The public was eagerly awaiting Congress’s new energy policy.
7. My apartment is either too hot or too cold.
8. Abraham Lincoln’s life was interesting.
9. Our crew prepared to dock.
10. On Thursday afternoon, the actor was practicing his lines.
Test yourself 14.4
For each determiner below, indicate if it is an article (e.g. the, an), demonstrative (e.g. this, those), possessive pronoun (e.g. your, our), or possessive proper noun (e.g. Mary’s, London’s).
Sample: Law and Order’s possessive proper noun
Getting started (answers on p. 56)
1. their
2. an
3. George’s
4. those
5. its
More practice (answers on the website)
6. the
7. San Francisco’s
8. this
9. my
10. a
Test yourself 14.5
Underline the determiner in each of the sentences below. It will either be an article, demonstrative, possessive pronoun, or possessive proper noun. Some sentences may contain more than one determiner.
Sample: The room contained a sofa, a chair, and, on the wall, Melinda’s portrait.
Getting started (answers on p. 56)
1. She knew what her mother had done for the family.
2. There wasn’t much information in his letters.
3. These books are clearly the best.
4. Rosa’s husband put a surprise in her lunch box.
5. Jerry’s uncle likes to drink a glass of wine with his dinner.
More practice (answers on the website)
6. This actress should get an Oscar for her performance in that movie.
7. The doctor’s secretary usually walks a mile on her lunch break.
8. Those children love to take a dip in their new pool in the backyard.
9. On her way to work, Maggie’s car broke down.
10. Jet Blue’s crew served dinner while I was sleeping.