Common Mistake: Using an Apostrophe to Form Possessive Pronouns

One common mistake that people often make in English grammar is using an apostrophe to form possessive pronouns. This error can lead to confusion and incorrect usage of pronouns. Let's take a closer look at this mistake and how to avoid it.

Understanding Possessive Pronouns

Possessive pronouns are used to indicate ownership or possession. They include pronouns such as mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, and theirs. These pronouns already indicate possession, so there is no need to use an apostrophe to show ownership.

For example:

• Incorrect: The book is her's.
• Correct: The book is hers.

Using Possessive Pronouns Correctly

When using possessive pronouns, it is important to remember that they should not be followed by an apostrophe. Possessive pronouns are already in their possessive form and do not require any additional punctuation.

For example:

• Incorrect: Is this your's?
• Correct: Is this yours?

Remember to always use possessive pronouns without an apostrophe to avoid common grammar mistakes. If you are unsure about your grammar, you can use a tool like Linguix grammar checker to help you correct any errors or make suggestions for improvement.