idea of hers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "idea of hers" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English. It is used to refer to an idea that belongs to or is characteristic of a specific person. Example: His boss was impressed by the new marketing plan, saying it was a great idea of his.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"It was an idea of hers that gradually evolved," she said.

The New York Times

He also collaborated on a story with Leigh Brackett, "Lorelei of the Red Mist", based on an idea of hers, which appeared in the Summer of 1946.

Wikipedia

I like how your character has gone so far down the road with this idea of hers that she no longer understands how shocking it is to other people when they find out.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I highlighted the ideas of hers I liked best, and added a few of my own, until we both had designed a plan.

Forbes

While he wallows in his suffering, his wife tries to sublimate hers, fixating on the idea of seeing her sons' killers brought to justice.

The New Yorker

And for the record, she says, the idea of performing her character's big solo in an office chair on wheels was hers, not the choreographer Herbert Ross's.

The New York Times

She was a steadfast woman, fixated on the idea that a daughter of hers might find love in the club.

The New Yorker

We are not ready for her yet, Because we have a mind to make her ours, And she belongs to nobody's idea Of the sublime but hers.

The New Yorker

Ann-Margret sent her husband to approve hers because the idea of seeing it herself gave her the creeps, while actress Lucia Mendez takes an interest, coming in every few months to change her dress and fix her hair.

Los Angeles Times

Here is an example of apostrophes used for a contraction of it is and a singular noun with possession, while correctly being omitted for possessive pronouns (hers, theirs, its): Friends of hers explained that it's her idea, not theirs, to refill the hamster's water tube and change its bedding.

WikiHow

As fans of hers, we just wanted to see her in something, so it got me excited about the idea.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to an idea that is more generally associated with a group or organization use a different construction such as: "their idea", "the team's concept" or "the company's strategy".

Common error

Avoid confusing "idea of hers" with incorrect forms like "idea of she" or "her idea". "Idea of hers" correctly uses the possessive pronoun "hers" to indicate ownership of the idea.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "idea of hers" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object within a sentence. It specifies that an idea belongs to or originates from a particular woman. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "idea of hers" is a grammatically correct way to indicate that an idea belongs to a specific woman, as confirmed by Ludwig. While relatively rare in usage, it effectively highlights individual contribution or perspective, predominantly in news and media contexts. Alternatives like "her concept" or "her notion" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis. When using the phrase, ensure proper possessive pronoun usage to avoid common grammatical errors. Ludwig's analysis points to a phrase that is concise and practical to indicate female individual input. The phrase has a neutral register, suitable for various situations and does not need specific attention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

her concept

Replaces "idea" with "concept", implying a more fully formed notion.

her notion

Substitutes "idea" with "notion", suggesting a more general or vague idea.

her brainchild

Replaces the entire phrase with a single word, emphasizing that the idea is original and creative.

a thought of hers

Replaces "idea" with "thought", focusing on the mental process.

something she came up with

Expresses the origin of the idea in a more informal and conversational way.

an inspiration of hers

Emphasizes the origin of the idea being from a source of creativity.

her suggestion

Implies a proposal or recommendation, rather than a general idea.

her innovation

Highlights the novelty and originality of the idea.

her plan

Focuses on the actionable aspect of the idea.

her contribution

Highlights the fact that such idea may lead to a concrete achievement.

FAQs

How can I use "idea of hers" in a sentence?

You can use "idea of hers" to indicate that a specific idea originated from a particular woman. For example: "It was an "idea of hers" that gradually evolved".

What's a more formal way to say "idea of hers"?

A more formal alternative could be "her concept" or "her suggestion", depending on the context. These options might be suitable for academic or professional settings.

Is it correct to say "idea of she" instead of "idea of hers"?

No, "idea of she" is grammatically incorrect. The correct possessive form is ""idea of hers"", using the possessive pronoun "hers".

What's the difference between "her idea" and "idea of hers"?

"Her idea" is a more direct and common way to express that an idea belongs to her. "Idea of hers" is slightly more emphatic and can be used to highlight that the idea is particularly associated with her.