is owned by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is owned by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something belongs to someone else. For example: "This company is owned by a local entrepreneur."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

GroupM is owned by WPP.

The New York Times

Which is owned by, um, the Yankees.

The New York Times - Sports

Sprint is owned by Softbank of Japan.

The Economist

Time Inc. is owned by Time Warner.

The New York Times

Napoli is owned by a film mogul.

The New York Times - Sports

The place is owned by Steve Maliska.

The New Yorker

Boe is owned by Olaf Boe.

The New Yorker

It is owned by Lord Strathcona.

The New Yorker

AOI itself is owned by Apple Inc.

Independent

The company is owned by CBS.

The New Yorker

The firm is owned by JPMorgan Chase.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is owned by" to clearly state who or what entity possesses something, whether it's a company, property, or intellectual right. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "is owned by" when a simple possessive ('s) would suffice. For example, instead of "The car is owned by John", use "The car is John's".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is owned by" serves as a linking verb phrase that connects a subject to the entity that holds ownership of it. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is owned by" is a common and grammatically sound way to express possession or ownership. Ludwig AI validates this, confirming its correct usage in various contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, academic writing, and wiki entries, demonstrating its versatility. Alternative phrases such as "belongs to" or "is held by" can be used to vary your writing. When using this phrase, be specific and avoid overuse, opting for simpler possessive forms where appropriate. The phrase is quite flexible with a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

belongs to

A simpler, more direct way of indicating ownership, suitable for everyday language.

is held by

Focuses on the act of holding or possessing something, often implying a temporary or formal arrangement.

is controlled by

Emphasizes the power or authority one entity has over another, implying influence in decision-making.

is possessed by

A more formal and sometimes legalistic way of stating ownership, indicating legal title.

is the property of

Highlights the legal aspect of ownership, often used in formal or legal contexts.

is under the ownership of

A more verbose way to express ownership, emphasizing the state of being owned.

is the responsibility of

Shifts the focus from mere ownership to the duties and obligations that come with it.

is managed by

Highlights the operational aspect of control, often used when discussing businesses or organizations.

is run by

Indicates who is in charge of the daily operations, often implying a more active role than simple ownership.

is affiliated with

Suggests a connection or association rather than direct ownership, implying a relationship of influence or support.

FAQs

How can I use "is owned by" in a sentence?

Use "is owned by" to indicate the possessor of something, such as "This website is owned by a tech company", or "The copyright is owned by the author".

What are some alternatives to "is owned by"?

Alternatives include "belongs to", "is held by", or "is possessed by", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is owned by" or "owns"?

Both are correct but have different structures. "Is owned by" is passive (e.g., "The store is owned by him"), while "owns" is active (e.g., "He owns the store").

What's the difference between "is owned by" and "is controlled by"?

"Is owned by" indicates legal possession, while "is controlled by" indicates power or influence over something, even without direct ownership.