English Language Arts
Grade 11
15 min
Identify possessive pronouns
Identify possessive pronouns
What you'll learn
- Identify possessive pronouns (my, your, his, her, its, our, their) in at least 4 out of 5 example sentences.
- Choose the correct possessive pronoun to complete 3 out of 4 sentences, demonstrating understanding of pronoun-noun agreement.
- Explain the difference between possessive pronouns and possessive nouns using one's own words in one complete sentence.
- Correctly rewrite 2 out of 3 sentences to replace possessive nouns (e.g., 'the dog's bone') with possessive pronouns (e.g., 'its bone').
Tutorial Preview
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Differentiate between dependent possessive pronouns (possessive adjectives) and independent possessive pronouns in sophisticated sentences.
Identify and classify all possessive pronouns within excerpts from American literature.
Analyze the function of possessive pronouns in establishing point of view and character relationships.
Correct common grammatical errors related to possessive pronouns, such as apostrophe misuse (it's/its) and homophone confusion (their/they're/there).
Evaluate the rhetorical effect of specific possessive pronoun choices in analytical and persuasive writing.
Use possessive pronouns with precision in their own synthesis essays to ensure clarity and avoid antecedent ambiguity.
Whose story is it, really? The narrator's,...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Possessive PronounA pronoun that demonstrates ownership, possession, or a relationship. It answers the question 'Whose?'.In the sentence 'The book is hers,' the word 'hers' is a possessive pronoun indicating who owns the book.
Dependent Possessive Pronoun (or Possessive Adjective)A possessive pronoun that modifies a noun or gerund and cannot stand alone. It always appears directly before the noun it describes.my, your, his, her, its, our, their. As in, 'She submitted her essay.'
Independent Possessive Pronoun (or Absolute Possessive Pronoun)A possessive pronoun that stands on its own, replacing a noun phrase entirely. It is not followed by a noun.mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs. As in, 'The best essay was hers.&#...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The No-Apostrophe Rule
Possessive pronouns never use an apostrophe to show possession.
This is a critical rule to distinguish possessive pronouns from contractions. For example, 'its' is possessive, while 'it's' is a contraction of 'it is' or 'it has'. Similarly, 'yours' and 'theirs' are possessive, while 'you're' (you are) and 'they're' (they are) are contractions.
The Form-Function Rule
The form of the possessive pronoun is determined by its function in the sentence.
Use a dependent possessive pronoun (my, your, her) when it modifies a noun that follows it. Use an independent possessive pronoun (mine, yours, hers) when it stands alone, replacing the noun.
The Antecedent Agree...
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Challenging
In a persuasive essay arguing for school uniform policies, a student writes: "Opponents claim this stifles individuality. But their argument ignores the profound sense of community that a uniform fosters. This sense of belonging is ours to create." What is the rhetorical effect of using the independent pronoun 'ours' in the final sentence?
A.It clarifies that the author is a student, not a member of the administration.
B.It creates an inclusive and empowering tone, inviting the reader to share in the responsibility and benefit of creating community.
C.It suggests that the opponents have no sense of community.
D.It functions as a dependent possessive pronoun modifying an implied noun, 'responsibility'.
Challenging
A student writes the following in a synthesis essay: "In his novel, Thoreau champions self-reliance. He argues that his connection to nature is more valuable than societal approval." How could this be revised to eliminate antecedent ambiguity, following the principles from the tutorial?
A.In his novel, Thoreau champions self-reliance, arguing that a person's connection to nature is more valuable than societal approval.
B.In Thoreau's novel, he champions self-reliance, arguing that his connection to nature is more valuable.
C.In his novel, he champions self-reliance. Thoreau argues that his connection to nature is more valuable.
D.The sentence is clear as written and needs no revision.
Challenging
Read this excerpt from William Faulkner's *As I Lay Dying*: "My mother is a fish. He is my brother, Darl. He is my brother, Jewel. My brother is dying. My mother is a fish." How does the repetitive use of the dependent possessive pronoun 'my' contribute to the characterization of the speaker, Vardaman?
A.It shows that Vardaman is highly educated and has a strong command of grammar.
B.It suggests Vardaman is unsure about his family relationships.
C.It establishes a collective, shared family grief over their mother's death.
D.It highlights his childlike, egocentric perspective, processing a complex tragedy only through its direct relationship to himself.
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Identify possessive pronouns is a Grade 11 English Language Arts lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Identify possessive pronouns?
You'll be able to: Identify possessive pronouns (my, your, his, her, its, our, their) in at least 4 out of 5 example sentences; Choose the correct possessive pronoun to complete 3 out of 4 sentences, demonstrating understanding of pronoun-noun….
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This lesson includes 25 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.