Grammar: Word classes: Nouns: Noun formation

Indicating possession

Possessive determiners and pronouns

Possessive determiners and pronouns are used to indicate who owns something. We use possessive pronouns so that we don't have to repeat the whole noun group each time we refer to it:

I've got my ticket. Where is yours?

Here is a summary of possessive pronouns and their possessive determiners:

For more information on possessive determiners, see Grammar: Word classes: Determiners: Referring to specific people, things, etc: Possessives (my, your, his)

Prepositional phrases

When we want to indicate possession or a close relationship, we can use a prepositional phrase (as a Qualifier), typically beginning with of (The President of the USA, the meaning of possession). Sometimes other prepositions are used (the funniest character in the play, a hospital for elderly people). 

For more information on Qualifiers in general, see Grammar: Groups & phrases: Noun group: Functions within the noun group: Adding more information

Linking verbs indicating possession

A small number of lexical verbs can be used to indicate possession (have, own, belong to, possess). 

For more information on linking or 'relating' verbs, see Grammar: Word classes: Verbs: Relating verbs (is, have)