Possessive Pronouns
What are possessive pronouns? Need help understanding what are possessive pronouns and what aren’t? Check out our page and find our possessive pronouns examples and learn how to weave possessive pronouns into your own writing.
“Twas mine, ’tis his, and has been slave to thousands. —Shakespeare.”
In case you’re wondering, we’re not about to delve into a literary discussion on Shakespeare’s Othello. We’re talking about possessive pronouns here, after all. But have a close look at the italicized pronouns in the above quote. Though they look like ordinary possessive pronouns, they are actually a special class called absolute possessive pronouns.
What are Absolute Possessive Pronouns?
If something is absolute it means that is unqualified. In grammar when something is qualified that means modifying is involved. If it is unqualified, there is no modification. Therefore, an absolute possessive pronoun shows ownership and stands apart from the word it modifies rather than right before it.
Other possessive pronouns act as adjectives to nouns. For example,
Absolute possessive pronouns don’t do this. Instead, they stand alone and can act as a subject.
Examples of Absolute Possessive Pronouns
The absolute pronouns are mine, yours, ours, hers, his, and theirs. Consider how they are used as subjects in the following sentences:
Absolute possessive pronouns are actually used quite often even though you may be accustomed to simply referring to them as possessive pronouns. Shakespeare was rather fond of them, that’s for sure. Just remember these pronouns are absolute and will never act as an adjective and modify a noun and you’ll do a fine job of identifying and using them.