Notes: A possessive adjective is similar or identical to a possessive pronoun; however, it is used as an adjective and modifies a noun or a noun phrase. For example: 1  I can't complete my assignment because I don't have the textbook. * 2  In this sentence, the possessive adjective  my  modifies the noun assignment. * Here the possessive adjective  your  is used to modify the noun phrase phone number. 2  The cat chased its ball down the stairs and into the backyard. * 3  In this sentence, the possessive adjective  its  modifies ball.