Possessive Pronouns — Ambiguity and Repetition

Possessive Pronouns — Ambiguity and Repetition

Preventing Ambiguity

The expression el suyo (as well as la suya, los suyos, and las suyas) may mean his, hers, yours, its, or theirs. Such ambiguity can be avoided by substituting the appropriate form of the definite article, followed by an explanatory prepositional form (de él, de ella, de Ud., de ellos, etc.).

Instead of "el suyo" use "el de él," "el de ella," "el de Ud.," etc.

Instead of "la suya" use "la de él," "la de ella," "la de Ud.," etc.

Instead of "los suyos" use "los de él," "los de ella," "los de Ud.," etc.

Instead of "las suyas" use "las de él," "las de ella," "las de Ud.," etc.

Tengo el suyo. =

Tengo el de él. - I have his. Tengo el de ella. - I have hers. Tengo el de Ud. - I have yours. Tengo el de ellos. - I have theirs. Tengo el de ellas. - I have theirs. Tengo el de Uds. - I have yours.

Preventing Repetition

In order to prevent the repetition of the noun, the following construction may be used:

Mi pluma y la pluma de Juan.
My pen and Juan's pen.

Mi pluma y la de Juan.
My pen and Juan's.

Su lápiz y el lápiz de María.
Your pencil and Maria's pencil.

Su lápiz y el de María.
Your pencil and Maria's.