Definition & Key Concepts
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Demonstratives & Possessives
Determiners showing ownership and location
Definition:
Demonstratives indicate the location of nouns relative to the speaker (this, that, these, those). Possessives show ownership or belonging (my, your, his, her, its, our, their).
Purpose:
To specify which person or thing we're referring to and to show who owns or possesses something.
Categories
Demonstratives (this, that, these, those)
Possessive Adjectives (my, your, his, etc.)
Possessive Pronouns (mine, yours, his, etc.)
Demonstratives: THIS/THAT/THESE/THOSE
This/These: Near the speaker (singular/plural)
That/Those: Far from the speaker (singular/plural)
This/That: Singular nouns
These/Those: Plural nouns
Examples with Demonstratives
This/These (nearby):
"This book is interesting" (book near me)
"These apples are fresh" (apples near me)
"These apples are fresh" (apples near me)
That/Those (far away):
"That building is tall" (building far from me)
"Those cars are expensive" (cars far from me)
"Those cars are expensive" (cars far from me)
As pronouns:
"This is mine" / "That is yours" / "These are ours" / "Those are theirs"
Possessive Adjectives
My (1st person singular): My book, My car
Your (2nd person): Your house, Your ideas
His (3rd person masculine): His dog, His job
Her (3rd person feminine): Her cat, Her dress
Its (3rd person neutral): Its color, Its speed
Our/Their (plural): Our school, Their friends
Rules for Possessive Adjectives
Always followed by a noun:
✅ "My car is red" ❌ "My is red"
Agreement with owner, not possessed:
"His car" (owned by him) regardless of car's gender
No apostrophes needed:
✅ "Her book" ❌ "Her's book"
Possessive Pronouns
Mine: Used alone, replaces "my + noun"
Yours: Used alone, replaces "your + noun"
His: Used alone, replaces "his + noun"
Hers: Used alone, replaces "her + noun"
Ours: Used alone, replaces "our + noun"
Theirs: Used alone, replaces "their + noun"
Difference Between Types
Possessive Adjective (with noun):
"This is my book" (my modifies book)
Possessive Pronoun (standalone):
"This book is mine" (mine replaces "my book")
Comparison:
"Her car is fast" vs "The red one is hers"
"Our house is big" vs "The blue house is ours"
"Our house is big" vs "The blue house is ours"
Note about "its" vs "hers":
"Its" doesn't have a separate pronoun form like "hers" - "The cat is playing with its toy"
Memory Tips & Tricks
Demonstratives: "This/These" = Thumb pointing nearby, "That/Those" = Arm extended far
POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES: Come BEFORE the noun they modify
POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS: Come AFTER "be" verbs and stand alone
Memory rhyme: "Mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs - No apostrophes, no tears!"
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Confusing demonstratives:
❌ "That books are good" (should be "those")
✅ "Those books are good"
✅ "Those books are good"
Misusing possessive forms:
❌ "This is her's book" (should be "her book" or "hers")
✅ "This is her book" or "This book is hers"
✅ "This is her book" or "This book is hers"
Using articles with possessives:
❌ "The my car" (should be "my car")
✅ "My car is red"
✅ "My car is red"
Forgetting subject agreement:
❌ "This is I" (should be "This is me" or "I am this")
✅ "This is me" or "I am here"
✅ "This is me" or "I am here"
