A1 — Beginner+50 XP available

Interactive Grammar: Possessive Determiners

Use my, your, his, her, its, our, and their to show possession and reference in English sentences.

Grammar Explanation · Authentic Examples · Practice Exercises

Lesson progressNot started

Duration

~36 min

Exercises

Level

Beginner

Overview

Use my, your, his, her, its, our, and their to show possession and reference in English sentences.

Forms

1stmy (singular) · our (plural)
2ndyour (both)
3rdhis (masc) · her (fem) · its (neuter)
3rd pltheir (plural) · their (singular gender-neutral)

Key Rules

Possessive determiners agree with the owner, not the thing owned.
Tom loves his cat. · Sara loves her cat.
The dog wags its tail. (NOT it's)
No apostrophe — they are not contractions.

Common Mistakes

❌ The team lost it's match → ✅ its match (possessive, no apostrophe)
❌ Everyone should bring his book → ✅ their book (inclusive)
❌ Her and my idea → ✅ our idea / her idea and mine

When to use

Personal items

I forgot my keys again.

Shared things

Our flat is on the third floor.

Animals / things

The dog injured its paw.

Family/group

They sold their house last spring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this lesson on determiners cover?

Use my, your, his, her, its, our, and their to show possession and reference in English sentences.

Which CEFR level is this lesson designed for?

This lesson is designed for Beginner (A1) learners and forms part of the Determiners section on Grammartier.

What is the best approach for studying this grammar topic?

Start with the definition, then study the examples carefully to understand how the pattern works in context. Practise identifying the structure in authentic sentences before producing your own — this recognition-first approach builds a strong foundation for accurate, confident use.