be owned by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be owned by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate possession or control by someone or something, often in legal or business contexts. Example: "The company will be owned by a larger corporation after the merger is finalized."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Those ideas must be owned by ENO.

The Guardian - Opinion

They should be owned by supporters".

The Guardian - Sport

Citizens, unlike human resources, cannot be owned by other people.

The Economist

The hotel is said to be owned by Colonel Qaddafi.

The New York Times

Do you want to be owned by your husband?

The New York Times - Magazine

The companies will be owned by Zuffa LLC.

The New York Times - Sports

"The shared software infrastructure should be owned by the community.

The New York Times

Sprint was supposed to be owned by WorldCom by now.

The New York Times

It ought to be owned by us all.

The Guardian - Opinion

The robots, Kaplan admitted, will be owned by the rich.

The Guardian

USA network, which happens to be owned by NBC.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be owned by", ensure clarity about who or what the owner is. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the type of ownership (e.g., legal, beneficial, shared).

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice with "be owned by" when active voice provides a clearer and more direct statement. For example, instead of "The company is owned by John Smith", consider "John Smith owns the company".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be owned by" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating possession or control. It connects a subject with its owner, often in legal, business, or general contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and widely used English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be owned by" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for indicating ownership or control. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct. Its frequent occurrence in news, science, and business contexts highlights its broad applicability. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the owner is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. While versatile, be mindful of passive voice overuse and consider active voice for directness. By following these guidelines, you can effectively and correctly use "be owned by" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be possessed by

Emphasizes the state of being held or controlled by someone or something.

be controlled by

Focuses on the aspect of control rather than ownership.

be held by

Implies a temporary or legal holding of something.

be in the possession of

More formal and explicitly states physical or legal possession.

be the property of

Emphasizes the legal aspect of ownership.

be under the management of

Highlights the managerial control rather than full ownership.

be administered by

Focuses on the administrative aspect of control and responsibility.

fall under the purview of

Suggests being within the scope or authority of something.

be attributed to

Indicates a looser connection, suggesting something is associated with someone.

be the responsibility of

Focuses on the responsibility aspect, not necessarily direct ownership.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be owned by" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "be the property of" or "be under the control of". These options emphasize legal or managerial control.

What are some alternatives to "be owned by" when describing a brand or company?

You can use alternatives such as "be operated by", "be managed by", or "be controlled by", depending on the specific context and aspect you want to highlight.

Is it always necessary to specify who or what something is "be owned by"?

In most cases, yes. Clearly specifying the owner avoids ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the ownership structure. However, in certain contexts where the owner is implied or already known, it may be omitted.

What's the difference between "be owned by" and "be possessed by"?

"Be owned by" typically refers to legal or rightful ownership, while "be possessed by" can refer to either ownership or simply having something in one's possession, whether legally or illegally.