Identifying the Possessive Pronoun

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 14 views

Introduction

In the English language, pronouns play a crucial role in conveying meaning and expressing relationships between entities. One of the fundamental aspects of pronouns is possession, which refers to the relationship between a person or entity and an object or property that belongs to them. In this article, we will explore the use of possessive pronouns in a sentence and identify the correct pronoun used to show possession in the given example.

What are Possessive Pronouns?

Possessive pronouns are words that replace nouns and indicate ownership or possession. They are used to show that something belongs to a particular person or entity. Examples of possessive pronouns include:

Mine
Yours
His
Hers
Its
Ours
Theirs

The Given Sentence

The sentence "They asked about the bike, and I told them it was mine" is a classic example of possessive pronoun usage. In this sentence, the writer is expressing ownership of the bike.

Analyzing the Sentence

Let's break down the sentence and identify the possessive pronoun used:

"They asked about the bike" - This part of the sentence introduces the topic of conversation, which is the bike.
"and I told them" - This part of the sentence introduces the speaker, who is telling the group about the bike.
"it was mine" - This part of the sentence expresses ownership of the bike.

Identifying the Possessive Pronoun

In the sentence "it was mine," the possessive pronoun used to show possession is mine. The word "mine" indicates that the bike belongs to the speaker.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the possessive pronoun used to show possession in the sentence "They asked about the bike, and I told them it was mine" is C. Mine. This pronoun is used to express ownership of the bike, indicating that it belongs to the speaker.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When using possessive pronouns, it's essential to avoid common mistakes such as:

Using the wrong possessive pronoun (e.g., using "my" instead of "mine")
Omitting the possessive pronoun altogether
Using possessive pronouns incorrectly in sentences (e.g., using "its" instead of "it's")

Tips for Using Possessive Pronouns Correctly

To use possessive pronouns correctly, follow these tips:

Make sure to use the correct possessive pronoun for the noun or entity being referred to.
Use possessive pronouns consistently throughout a sentence or paragraph.
Avoid using possessive pronouns in situations where they are not necessary (e.g., using "mine" instead of "my" in a sentence).

Examples of Possessive Pronouns in Sentences

Here are some examples of possessive pronouns used in sentences:

"The book is mine." (Here, "mine" is used to express ownership of the book.)
"The car is theirs." (Here, "theirs" is used to express ownership of the car.)
"The house is ours." (Here, "ours" is used to express ownership of the house.)

Conclusion

Q: What is the difference between "my" and "mine"?

A: "My" is a possessive adjective used to describe a noun, while "mine" is a possessive pronoun used to replace a noun. For example:

"This is my book." (Here, "my" is used to describe the noun "book.")
"That book is mine." (Here, "mine" is used to replace the noun "book.")

Q: How do I know which possessive pronoun to use?

A: To determine which possessive pronoun to use, ask yourself who or what owns the object or property being referred to. For example:

"The bike is _______." (If the bike belongs to you, use "mine.")
"The bike is _______." (If the bike belongs to someone else, use "their" or "theirs.")

Q: Can I use possessive pronouns with plural nouns?

A: Yes, you can use possessive pronouns with plural nouns. For example:

"The Smiths' car is theirs." (Here, "theirs" is used to express ownership of the car.)
"The Joneses' house is theirs." (Here, "theirs" is used to express ownership of the house.)

Q: How do I use possessive pronouns with singular nouns?

A: To use possessive pronouns with singular nouns, simply add the possessive pronoun to the end of the noun. For example:

"The cat is mine." (Here, "mine" is used to express ownership of the cat.)
"The dog is theirs." (Here, "theirs" is used to express ownership of the dog.)

Q: Can I use possessive pronouns with abstract nouns?

A: Yes, you can use possessive pronouns with abstract nouns. For example:

"The idea is mine." (Here, "mine" is used to express ownership of the idea.)
"The concept is theirs." (Here, "theirs" is used to express ownership of the concept.)

Q: How do I use possessive pronouns in sentences with multiple objects?

A: To use possessive pronouns in sentences with multiple objects, simply use the possessive pronoun that corresponds to the object being referred to. For example:

"I like my car and my bike." (Here, "my" is used to describe both the car and the bike.)
"The Smiths like their house and their car." (Here, "theirs" is used to describe both the house and the car.)

Q: Can I use possessive pronouns in sentences with no objects?

A: Yes, you can use possessive pronouns in sentences with no objects. For example:

"This is mine." (Here, "mine" is used to express ownership of something, but the object is not specified.)
"That is theirs." (Here, "theirs" is used to express ownership of something, but the object is not specified.)

Q: How do I use possessive pronouns in sentences with multiple possessors?

A: To use possessive pronouns in sentences with multiple possessors, simply use the possessive pronoun that corresponds to the possessor being referred to. For example:

"The book is mine and my sister's." (Here, "mine" is used to express ownership of the book, and "my sister's" is used to express ownership of the book by the sister.)
"The car is theirs and their friend's." (Here, "theirs" is used to express ownership of the car, and "their friend's" is used to express ownership of the car by the friend.)

Conclusion

In conclusion, possessive pronouns are an essential part of the English language, used to express ownership and possession. By understanding how to use possessive pronouns correctly, you can improve your writing and communication skills. Remember to use the correct possessive pronoun for the noun or entity being referred to, and avoid common mistakes such as using the wrong possessive pronoun or omitting it altogether.