Possessive Determiners (My, Your, His, Her): English Grammar Guide

Possessive determiners are small but powerful words that show ownership or relationship. They tell us who something belongs to, and they are essential in everyday English communication. Words like my, your, his, her, its, our, and their fall into this category.

In this guide, we’ll focus on my, your, his, and her, exploring how they work, how they differ from similar words, and how to use them naturally in conversation and writing.

What Are Possessive Determiners?

Possessive determiners (also called possessive adjectives) are used before nouns to indicate possession or belonging. They describe who owns something or who is connected to it.

For example:

• My bag is on the table.

• Your phone is ringing.

• His car is fast.

• Her house is beautiful.

Each of these words modifies a noun — bag, phone, car, and house — and tells us who the owner is.

It’s important to note that possessive determiners always come before a noun. They cannot stand alone.

✅ Correct:

• My friend is kind.
  ❌ Incorrect:

• Mine friend is kind.

List of Common Possessive Determiners

In this article, we’ll focus mainly on my, your, his, and her, since they are the most commonly used in everyday interactions.

1. Using “My”

My shows that something belongs to the speaker (the person saying the sentence).

Examples:

• My name is Anna.

• My parents live in Japan.

• My phone is old but works fine.

• I forgot my umbrella at the office.

My is used with both singular and plural nouns:

• My car (singular)

• My cars (plural)

• My friends (plural)

Tip:
“My” never changes form. It doesn’t depend on gender or number — it’s always “my.”

2. Using “Your”

Your is used when you are talking to the listener or readers. It shows that something belongs to the person you are speaking to.

Examples:

• Is this your book?

• Don’t forget to bring your ID.

• How is your family?

• Please clean your room.

Like “my,” the word “your” also does not change form:

• Your car / Your cars

• Your friend / Your friends

Common Mistake:
Many learners confuse “your” and “you’re.”

• ✅ Your = possessive determiner → Your bag is on the floor.

• ❌ You’re = contraction of “you are” → You’re very kind.

Be careful — this is one of the most common spelling mistakes in English!

3. Using “His”

His shows that something belongs to a male person or animal.

Examples:

• His dog is very friendly.

• I like his haircut.

• His office is on the third floor.

• She borrowed his pen.

His can also refer to someone when their gender is known to be male:

• Tom forgot his wallet.

• Every boy must bring his report card.

Note:
“His” is both a possessive determiner and a possessive pronoun, depending on how it’s used.

• Determiner: His car is fast.

• Pronoun: This car is his.

In this guide, we focus on the determiner usage — the one that goes before a noun.

4. Using “Her”

Her shows that something belongs to a female person or animal.

Examples:

• Her hair is long.

• I met her parents yesterday.

• Her favorite color is green.

• She forgot her wallet at home.

As with “his,” “her” can function as a determiner or a pronoun:

• Determiner: Her phone is new.

• Pronoun: This phone is hers.

Tip:
When describing a female’s possession, always use her, not she’s.

• ✅ Her bag is on the chair.

• ❌ She’s bag is on the chair. (“She’s” = “she is”)

Comparing “His” and “Her”

To express gender-based ownership, English distinguishes between his (for males) and her (for females).

When the owner’s gender is unknown or not important, we often use their instead:

• Someone left their phone here.
  (This avoids assuming gender.)

The Difference Between Possessive Determiners and Possessive Pronouns

This is one of the most confusing points for learners.

Possessive determiners are always followed by a noun.
Possessive pronouns replace the noun.

Compare:

• ✅ My car is blue. (determiner)

• ✅ This car is mine. (pronoun)

• ❌ This car is my. (wrong)

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Using “her” instead of “she”

   • ❌ Her is my friend.

   • ✅ She is my friend.
     “Her” is not a subject pronoun; use “she” as the subject.

2. Confusing “your” and “you’re”

   • ❌ You’re bag is on the chair.

   • ✅ Your bag is on the chair.

3. Mixing “his” and “her”

   • ❌ The man lost her wallet.

   • ✅ The man lost his wallet.

4. Using possessive determiners alone

   • ❌ My is new.

   • ✅ My car is new.

Examples in Real-Life Situations

At School:

• My teacher is very kind.

• Did you do your homework?

• He forgot his notebook again.

• Her presentation was excellent.

At Work:

• I left my laptop in the office.

• Please send me your report by 5 p.m.

• The manager approved his project proposal.

• Her team is working on the new design.

In Daily Life:

• My favorite restaurant is near the park.

• Don’t forget to take your keys!

• His car is parked outside.

• Her dog is so cute.

Grammar Tips for Learners

1. Always Follow with a Noun

Possessive determiners cannot stand alone.
Wrong: This is my.
Right: This is my bag.

2. No Apostrophe in “Its”

Be careful not to confuse its and it’s:

• Its = possessive (The cat licked its paw.)

• It’s = it is (It’s raining outside.)

3. Gender and Context

Use his for male owners, her for female owners.
If the gender is unknown, their is a gender-neutral alternative.

4. Don’t Double the Possession

Avoid saying my own my car or her her bag.
Use either my car or my own car.

Practice Exercises

Try to fill in the blanks with my, your, his, or her.

1. I love ___ job.

2. What’s ___ name?

3. She is looking for ___ phone.

4. John and ___ brother are coming.

5. Don’t forget ___ keys!

6. I think this is ___ seat.

7. He always brings ___ lunch.

8. Can I borrow ___ pen?

Answers:

1. my

2. your

3. her

4. his

5. your

6. your

7. his

8. your

Quick Summary

Conclusion

Possessive determiners — my, your, his, her — are simple yet essential tools in English grammar. They make your sentences clearer by showing who owns or relates to something.

Remember these key points:

• They always come before a noun.

• They don’t take apostrophes.

• They change depending on the owner (I, you, he, she).

Mastering these small words will make your English sound more natural and accurate. Practice them in daily conversations — talk about your belongings, his plans, or her ideas — and soon you’ll use them automatically.

FAQs

What are possessive determiners, and how are they different from possessive pronouns?

Possessive determiners modify a noun to show ownership or relationship (e.g., my book, your idea, his car, her phone). Possessive pronouns replace a noun phrase entirely (e.g., This book is mine; The decision is yours; The keys are his; The ticket is hers). If a word comes directly before a noun, it’s a determiner; if it stands alone, it’s a pronoun.

• Determiner: Her laptop is fast.
• Pronoun: This laptop is hers.

Which words are possessive determiners in English?

The full set is: my, your, his, her, its, our, their. This guide focuses on my, your, his, her because they are most frequent in everyday use. All determiners must be followed by a noun or a noun phrase.

When should I use “my”?

Use my to show that the speaker owns or is closely connected to the noun. It does not change for number or gender.

• My name is Daniel.
• I forgot my keys.
• That’s my reason for applying.

When should I use “your” and how is it different from “you’re”?

Use your for the listener’s/reader’s possession: your plan, your choice. Do not confuse it with you’re (the contraction of “you are”).

• Correct: Is this your seat?
• Incorrect: Is this you’re seat?
• Tip: If you can replace the word with “you are,” use you’re; otherwise, use your.

How do I choose between “his” and “her”?

Use his when the owner is male and her when the owner is female. If gender is unknown, unspecified, or irrelevant, many writers use the gender-neutral determiner their in modern English, but note that this guide emphasizes the forms his and her where gender is known.

• Known male: James forgot his ID.
• Known female: Mia sent her résumé.
• Unknown: Someone left their umbrella.

Can “his” and “her” also function as pronouns?

Yes. His and hers can stand alone as possessive pronouns. The determiner forms occur before nouns; the pronoun forms replace nouns.

• Determiner: I like his idea; I admire her work.
• Pronoun: The idea is his; The award is hers.

What are the most common mistakes learners make with possessive determiners?

Three frequent errors: using a determiner without a noun, confusing contractions with possessives, and mismatching gender.

• Missing noun: ✗ My is blue. ✓ My car is blue.
• “Your” vs. “you’re”: ✗ You’re bag ✓ Your bag
• Gender mismatch: ✗ The man forgot her wallet. ✓ The man forgot his wallet.

How do possessive determiners interact with number and countability?

Possessive determiners do not change form for singular or plural nouns. They can modify both countable and uncountable nouns.

• Countable: My friend / my friends; her idea / her ideas
• Uncountable: Your advice, his information, her luggage

What’s the difference between “her” and “hers,” and can I say “she’s” before a noun?

Her is a determiner and must be followed by a noun; hers is a possessive pronoun and stands alone. She’s is the contraction of “she is” or “she has,” so it cannot show possession before a noun.

• Determiner: Her project impressed everyone.
• Pronoun: The project is hers.
• Incorrect: ✗ She’s project

Is “its” ever used like “my/your/his/her,” and why is there no apostrophe?

Yes, its is the possessive determiner for it (non-human subjects like things, organizations, or animals when gender is not emphasized). It never takes an apostrophe because the form with an apostrophe—it’s—is a contraction of “it is” or “it has.”

• Possessive determiner: The company revised its policy.
• Contraction: It’s (it is) time to start.

Can I use “my own,” “your own,” etc., and when is that helpful?

Yes. Adding own emphasizes personal ownership, often to contrast with someone else’s or with shared items. Use it sparingly for emphasis rather than by default.

• I brought my own tools (not borrowed).
• Use your own words (not copied).

How do I use possessive determiners with complex or modified nouns?

Place the determiner before the entire noun phrase. It still directly modifies the head noun, even when adjectives or prepositional phrases follow.

• Her carefully drafted proposal
• His book on marine ecology
• Your quick response to the client’s email

What’s the best way to avoid ambiguity when multiple possessors are possible?

When a sentence could refer to more than one possible owner, add context, repeat the noun, or rephrase to make the possessor explicit. In writing, clarity beats brevity.

• Ambiguous: Maria told Ana that her plan was approved. (Whose plan?)
• Clear: Maria told Ana that Maria’s plan was approved.
• Clear: Maria told Ana that Ana’s plan was approved.

How do possessive determiners compare with apostrophe-’s nouns (e.g., “Anna’s phone”)?

Both mark ownership, but they differ in structure. Possessive determiners precede the noun directly (her phone), while genitive noun phrases use an apostrophe-’s (Anna’s phone). Choose the form that fits your sentence flow and avoids repetition.

• Her phone rang. (We already know who “her” is.)
• Anna’s phone rang. (We identify the owner by name.)

What role does formality play in choosing possessive determiners?

Possessive determiners themselves are neutral across registers, but the surrounding language may vary. In formal writing, avoid contractions that could be confused with possessives (e.g., ensure you distinguish your vs. you’re). Maintain precise reference, especially when multiple people are involved.

How can I practice using “my, your, his, her” correctly?

Try short substitution drills and sentence expansions. Replace subjects with names or pronouns and insert the correct determiner before the noun. Read aloud to reinforce rhythm and placement.

• (I) ___ schedule is full today. → My schedule
• (You) Don’t forget ___ badge. → Your badge
• (Liam) ___ report is on page 3. → His report
• (Emma) ___ presentation begins at 10. → Her presentation

Can possessive determiners appear with gerunds or nominalized verbs?

Yes, they can modify gerunds (verb forms used as nouns) and other nominalized structures when you wish to highlight the possessor. This is common in academic and professional writing.

• His acknowledging the error improved trust.
• Her revising the draft streamlined the review.

Why can’t I say “mine book” or “hers phone”?

Because mine and hers are possessive pronouns, not determiners; they cannot directly modify a noun. Use my or her before a noun, and use mine or hers when the noun is omitted.

• Determiner: My book / her phone
• Pronoun: The book is mine / The phone is hers

Do possessive determiners agree with the possessor or the possessed noun?

They agree with the possessor (the owner), not with the noun that follows. The noun’s number or gender does not change the determiner form.

• Her idea / her ideas (owner is female; noun number changes)
• His solution / his solutions (owner is male; same determiner)

Quick self-check: Can you fix these sentences?

Identify and correct the errors.

1. You’re bag is under the chair.
2. Her is the new supervisor.
3. The engineer finished hers prototype.
4. This is my. I left it here.

Answers:

• Your bag is under the chair.
• She is the new supervisor. (Use subject pronoun, not determiner.)
• The engineer finished her prototype. (Use determiner before noun.)
• This is mine. I left it here. (Use pronoun when the noun is omitted.)

Summary: What should I remember most?

Use my, your, his, her directly before nouns to signal ownership or relationship. Do not confuse them with look-alike contractions (you’re, she’s, it’s). They are invariable for number and typically reflect the possessor’s identity, not the noun’s form. For clarity, choose explicit references when multiple owners are possible, and practice with short drills to build accuracy and fluency.

English Grammar Guide: Complete Rules, Examples, and Tips for All Levels