Page 125 - DENG101_Communication Skills-I

Communication Skills-I

Notes In this sentence, the possessive adjective “my” modifies “assignment” and the noun phrase “my

assignment” functions as an object. Note that the possessive pronoun form “mine” is not used to
modify a noun or noun phrase.

Example: What is your phone number?
Here the possessive adjective “your” is used to modify the noun phrase “phone number”; the
entire noun phrase “your phone number” is a subject complement. Note that the possessive
pronoun form “yours” is not used to modify a noun or a noun phrase.

Example: The bakery sold his favourite type of bread.

In this example, the possessive adjective “his” modifies the noun phrase “favourite type of bread”

and the entire noun phrase “his favourite type of bread” is the direct object of the verb “sold.”

Example: After many years, she returned to her homeland.
Here the possessive adjective “her” modifies the noun “homeland” and the noun phrase “her

homeland” is the object of the preposition “to.” Note also that the form “hers” is not used to
modify nouns or noun phrases.

Example: We have lost our way in this wood.
In this sentence, the possessive adjective “our” modifies “way” and the noun phrase “our way”

is the direct object of the compound verb “have lost”. Note that the possessive pronoun form
“ours” is not used to modify nouns or noun phrases.

Example: In many fairy tales, children are neglected by their parents.

Here the possessive adjective “their” modifies “parents” and the noun phrase “their parents” is
the object of the preposition “by.” Note that the possessive pronoun form “theirs” is not used to
modify nouns or noun phrases.

Example: The dog chased its ball down the stairs and into the backyard.

In this sentence, the possessive adjective “its” modifies “ball” and the noun phrase “its ball” is the
object of the verb “chased.” Note that “its” is the possessive adjective and “it’s” is a contraction
for “it is.”

Demonstrative Adjectives

The demonstrative adjectives “this,” “these,” “that,” “those,” and “what” are identical to the
demonstrative pronouns, but are used as adjectives to modify nouns or noun phrases, as in the
following sentences:

Example: When the librarian tripped over that rope, she dropped a pile of books.

In this sentence, the demonstrative adjective “that” modifies the noun “cord” and the noun
phrase “that cord” is the object of the preposition “over.”

Example: This apartment needs to be renovated.
Here “this” modifies “apartment” and the noun phrase “this apartment” is the subject of the

sentence.

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