Using the Possessive Case
1. Use the possessive case to show ownership.
The child refused to admit that the sweater was (her’s, hers).
Answer: Hers is the correct spelling of the possessive case, which is needed here to
express ownership (belonging to her). Therefore, the sentence should read: “The child
refused to admit that the sweater was hers.”
2. Use the possessive case before gerunds.
A gerund is a form of a verb that acts as a noun. Gerunds always end in -ing, and they always function as nouns.
(You, Your) walking in the rain didn’t cause your cold.
Answer: The gerund walking requires the possessive pronoun your. Therefore, the sentence should read: “Your walking in the rain didn’t cause your cold.”
Do you mind (my, me) borrowing your cell phone?
Answer: Do you mind my borrowing your cell phone?
3. Use some possessive pronouns alone to show ownership.
This cell phone is mine, not yours.
