My

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "My" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate possession or ownership, often preceding a noun. Example: "My favorite book is on the shelf."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was my fault.

The New York Times - Sports

my soul.

The New York Times - Sports

"Oh, my God".

The New York Times

(My italics).

The Guardian - Business

"My family.

The Guardian

When we are on the tube, occasionally I have to say to a member of the public that my son is autistic and that I'm sorry he is staring.

The Guardian - Opinion

"All the people who form those relations to me make up my community and you assaulted every single one of them".

The Guardian

"He was my friend.

The New York Times - Magazine

This afternoon, the president graciously accepted my resignation".

The New York Times

"I will always treasure my opportunity to have done that with you, and I will always regret the circumstances that brought that work with you to an end".

The New York Times

I am for getting people from my background to vote".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "My" before a noun to clearly indicate possession or a close relationship. For example, "My car" or "My friend".

Common error

Avoid using "My" as a pronoun. "Mine" should be used when the noun is omitted. For example, say "That book is mine" instead of "That book is my."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "My" is to serve as a possessive determiner. It precedes a noun to indicate ownership, association, or relationship, as demonstrated by Ludwig in examples like "My book" and "My friend".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "My" functions as a possessive determiner, indicating ownership or association before a noun. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. As evidenced by the numerous examples provided by Ludwig, the term is particularly common in news and media, showcasing its utility in both formal and informal contexts. While "My" is generally straightforward, it's crucial to distinguish its use from the possessive pronoun "mine" to avoid grammatical errors. Understanding these nuances ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Belonging to me

Emphasizes ownership more directly than "My".

Mine

A possessive pronoun used instead of a possessive determiner before a noun.

Of mine

Used to describe something as belonging to or associated with the speaker.

In my possession

Highlights the physical control or ownership of something.

Associated with me

Indicates a connection or relationship rather than direct ownership.

Related to me

Specifies a familial or personal connection.

Personally owned

Stresses individual ownership.

My own

Emphasizes exclusivity of ownership.

Held by me

Similar to "in my possession", emphasizing physical holding.

Connected to me

Highlights a link or association.

FAQs

How is "my" used in a sentence?

"My" is a possessive determiner used before a noun to indicate ownership or association. For example, "My house is near the park" or "My friend is coming over."

What is the difference between "my" and "mine"?

"My" is used before a noun (e.g., "my car"), while "mine" is used as a pronoun and stands alone (e.g., "The car is mine").

When should I use "my" instead of "me"?

Use "my" to show possession before a noun (e.g., "my book"). Use "me" as an object pronoun (e.g., "Give the book to me").

What are some common phrases that use "my"?

Common phrases include "in my opinion", "my pleasure", and "my fault". These expressions are frequently used in everyday conversation.