A1 · Lesson 2 · 20 min
Subject pronouns and possessive adjectives
In this lesson
- I can choose a subject pronoun for a person, thing or group.
- I can use my, your, his, her, its, our and their before a noun.
Grammar in context
Mia is at a new sports club. She has her water bottle. Her brother Sam is there too. He has his trainers. Their friends are waiting near the door. They are ready to play. The club is small, but it has its own café.
Which words replace Mia, Sam, their friends and the club? Find her, his, their and its before the things they describe.
Subject pronouns
Use a pronoun instead of repeating a name. I means the speaker. You means the person or people we speak to. He and she can replace a person’s name. It can replace the name of a thing or an animal.
- I live near the station.
- She plays tennis on Fridays.
Pronouns for more than one
Use we for a group that includes you. Use they for other people or things. In a statement, put the pronoun before the verb: We are ready. In a question with be, put it after the verb: Are they ready?
- Lena and I are neighbours. We walk to college.
- The keys are on the table. They are small.
Possessive adjectives
These words show who something belongs to. Put them before the thing: I → my bag; you → your bag; he → his bag; she → her bag; it → its tail; we → our bags; they → their bags. Its has no apostrophe when it shows belonging.
- My phone is in my coat.
- The dog is eating its dinner.
Common mistakes
Compare the incorrect and corrected forms.
Avoid
She name is Amina.
Use
Her name is Amina.
She is a subject pronoun. Use her before the noun name.
Avoid
The shop is closed. It's door is locked.
Use
The shop is closed. Its door is locked.
Its shows possession and has no apostrophe. It's means it is.
Put it into practice
Try the exercises, write your own examples and check your understanding.