English grammar
Family words + possessive 's
Talk about your extended family using possessive 's.
From the scene My cousins and my grandmother
In short
Say whose relative it is with 's: my aunt's son. Cousin is one word for men and women.
Your turn
Which one goes with your aunt's or uncle's child?
Options: nephew / granddaughter · cousin (one word for both) · my aunt's son (not "the son of my aunt")
Show answer
your aunt's or uncle's child → cousin (one word for both)
How it works
Say whose relative it is with 's: my aunt's son, my brother's son, my mum's sister — not "the son of my aunt".
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
He's my nephew, my (blank) son.
Options: brother · brothers · brother's
Show answer
He's my nephew, my brother's son.
Es mi sobrino, el hijo de mi hermano.
Good to know
Cousin is one word for a man or a woman; nephew / niece and grandson / granddaughter are different words.
Good to know
All your family are your relatives; your parents are only your mother and father.
whose son? my aunt's son (not "the son of my aunt")
Nuria
That's my cousin Pablo, my aunt's son.
Es mi primo Pablo, el hijo de mi tía.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
That's my cousin Pablo, (blank).
Options: my aunt's son · granddaughter · relatives
Show answer
Nuria
That's my cousin Pablo, my aunt's son.
Es mi primo Pablo, el hijo de mi tía.
your aunt's or uncle's child cousin (one word for both)
Nuria
That's my cousin Pablo, my aunt's son.
Es mi primo Pablo, el hijo de mi tía.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
That's my (blank) Pablo, my aunt's son.
Options: cousin · granddaughter · relatives
Show answer
Nuria
That's my cousin Pablo, my aunt's son.
Es mi primo Pablo, el hijo de mi tía.
your brother's son · your son's daughter nephew / granddaughter
Nuria
Of course! I'm her only granddaughter.
¡Claro! Soy su única nieta.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Of course! I'm her only (blank).
Options: cousin · granddaughter · my aunt's son
Show answer
Nuria
Of course! I'm her only granddaughter.
¡Claro! Soy su única nieta.
all your family relatives (parents = mother and father)
Your turn
What goes with relatives (parents = mother and father)?
Options: your aunt's or uncle's child · all your family · whose son?
Show answer
relatives (parents = mother and father) → all your family
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| whose son? | my aunt's son (not "the son of my aunt") |
|---|---|
| your aunt's or uncle's child | cousin (one word for both) |
| your brother's son · your son's daughter | nephew / granddaughter |
| all your family | relatives (parents = mother and father) |
More lines from the story
- NuriaHe's my nephew, my brother's son.Es mi sobrino, el hijo de mi hermano.
- NuriaMy grandmother lives over there, near the church.Mi abuela vive allí, cerca de la iglesia.
- NuriaLook, that's Carmen, my mum's sister.Mira, esa es Carmen, la hermana de mi madre.
- NuriaMy aunt talks to the whole village.Mi tía habla con todo el pueblo.