Question

Fill in the blank with the most suitable pronoun from the options given:
Every time Sant and Teji go on long trips, they leave __________ tooth brushes behind.

• A. His
• B. Her
• C. Their
• D. Theirs

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Their

When a pronoun in possessive case is placed before the noun being described it is called a possessive adjective. Example: This is my book. In this sentence, the word, 'my' is a possessive adjective.

Sometimes, the pronoun in possessive case is used alone (and not before the noun). In such case, it is called a possessive pronoun Example: This book is mine. Here, the word, 'mine' is a possessive pronoun.

In the given sentence, the toothbrushes belong to Sant and Teji (two people). Hence, the pronoun which can fill the blank space should also be plural and in the possessive case. Among the given options, the words, 'his' and 'her' are singular possessive adjectives. Hence, options A and B are incorrect.

We also observe that the pronoun is placed just before the noun, indicating we have to use a possessive adjective. The word, 'their' is a possessive adjective. Hence, option C is correct.

Option D is incorrect as the word, 'theirs' is a possessive pronoun (which is not used before the noun).