Delving into "His", "Her", and "Its" in English Grammar

In the English language, "his", "her", and "its" are possessive adjectives that convey ownership or a relation to a subsequent noun. Their correct application is pivotal for ensuring clarity and precision in both spoken and written communication.

1. What are "His", "Her", and "Its"?

"His", "her", and "its" are possessive adjectives used to indicate ownership or a relationship to a noun that follows them.

Examples:

  • That is his backpack.
  • She forgot her umbrella.
  • The cat licked its paw.

2. What Tense Uses "His", "Her", and "Its"?

These possessive adjectives are not confined to any specific tense. Their primary role is to demonstrate possession or association, irrespective of time.

Examples:

  • He lost his wallet last week. (Past)
  • Her office is on the second floor. (Present)
  • The company will launch its new product next month. (Future)

3. How to Use "His", "Her", and "Its" in Sentences:

  • His: Used to signify something belongs to or is related to a male individual.

    Example: His jacket is brown.

  • Her: Used to show something belongs to or is associated with a female individual.

    Example: Her book is on the shelf.

  • Its: Used to indicate possession or relation to a non-human entity or an animal.

    Example: The tree shed its leaves in autumn.

4. The Difference Among "His", "Her", and "Its":

  • His: Relates to a male person.

    Example: His bicycle has a flat tire.

  • Her: Pertains to a female person.

    Example: Her painting won an award.

  • Its: Associated with non-human entities or animals.

    Example: The robot performed its task efficiently.

5. Cases Where "His", "Her", and "Its" Shouldn't Be Used:

  • When the possession is already implied:

    Incorrect: The dog wagged its tail of its. Correct: The dog wagged its tail.

  • Replacing them with possessive pronouns:

    Incorrect: This is her dress of her. Correct: This is her dress. or This dress is hers.

  • Using "its" as a contraction for "it is" or "it has":

    Incorrect: Its raining outside. Correct: It's raining outside.

In summation, "his", "her", and "its" play a vital role in portraying ownership and relationships in English. Their proper usage ensures clarity, thus avoiding potential confusion in communication. For those aiming to enhance their proficiency in the language, a deep understanding of these possessive adjectives is indispensable.

6. Practice His/Her/Its English Exercises

What are the differences among "His/Her/Its" in English? This test was designed for you to practice "His/Her/Its". The test has 20 questions. Before taking the test, please read the following tips about "His/Her/Its".

 

- His: is the possessive adjective of the personal pronoun "He"

Example: 

His father is a rich boss.

- This is his plane.

- Her: is the possessive adjective of the personal pronoun "She"

Example:

- What's her family name?

- Her house's color is white.

- Its: is the possessive adjective of the personal pronoun "It"

 Example:

- That is my bike. Its tire is flat.

 

Now You'll take a "His/Her/Its" test.



Sponsored links