Attached Possession in Careful Writing
A possessive suffix identifies the owner: ספרי means my book and ספרה means her book. These suffixes are common in careful writing. Everyday language often uses a noun followed by a form of של.
How It Works
Who Owns the Noun?
ספרי identifies me as the owner, ספרו a male owner, ספרה a female owner, and ספרנו us as the owners. The suffix identifies the owner rather than changing the book’s gender.
The Noun Still Controls Agreement
ספרה חדש has a female owner and a masculine book. מחברתו כחולה has a male owner and a feminine notebook. The adjective describes the noun that is owned.
Recognition and Everyday Alternatives
The singular and plural noun suffix sets differ, so learn the actual form together with its noun. In everyday language, הספר שלי expresses my book with a separate של form. The attached ספרי expresses the same ownership relationship in one word.
Examples (4)
- ספרי נמצא כאן.
My book is here.
The suffix י identifies me as owner in this sentence.
- ספרה חדש.
Her book is new.
The owner is female but the book is masculine.
- מחברתו כחולה.
His notebook is blue.
The owner is male but the notebook is feminine.
- ספרנו נמצא בבית.
Our book is at home.
נו identifies the owners as us.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Distinguish the possessor's suffix features from the possessed noun's form and number.
- אנחנו / אתם / אתןWe and Plural You
Distinguish the possessor's suffix features from the possessed noun's form and number.
Level 1 - של / שליSaying Whose It Is
Distinguish the possessor's suffix features from the possessed noun's form and number.
Level 1 - Noun Construct Phrases
Distinguish the possessor's suffix features from the possessed noun's form and number.
Level 2
Related Patterns
Practice Attached Possession in Careful Writing in Bubblegum
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