it is owned by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is owned by" is correct and can be used in written English.
It typically is used to describe who owns something, and is followed by the name of the owner. For example, "This building is owned by the Smith family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is owned by its chef, Chris Jaeckle, formerly of Ai Fiori.

The New York Times

It's a mutual holding company, meaning the majority of it is owned by its depositors.

Forbes

A private self-regulating entity, it is owned by its members.

Forbes

It is owned by seven million members, mainly its employees and customers.

The New York Times

It is owned by Lord Strathcona.

The New Yorker

"Like it is owned by the Devil.

The New York Times

It is owned by the government.

The New York Times

It is owned by the Cohen family.

The New York Times

It is owned by Wal-Mart.

The New York Times

It is owned by no one.

The Guardian

It is owned by Cohen Brothers Realty.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When clarity is crucial, specify the type of ownership (e.g., wholly owned, partially owned) for better understanding.

Common error

Ensure that the "it" in the phrase has a clear and unambiguous antecedent to avoid confusion. For example, instead of writing "The company acquired a subsidiary, and it is owned by a foreign investor", be specific: "The subsidiary is owned by a foreign investor".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is owned by" functions as a declarative statement indicating possession or legal ownership of a specific entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction clearly identifies the possessor of something. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its use across various domains to specify ownership.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Wiki

11%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is owned by" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate possession or legal ownership. As Ludwig AI affirms, it's a straightforward and widely applicable phrase. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it provides clarity on who holds the rights to a particular entity, whether it's a company, property, or idea. While simple, awareness of common errors, like unclear pronoun reference, is important. When there is a need for alternatives there are options such as "it belongs to" or "it is possessed by". Overall, "it is owned by" serves as a functional phrase in a variety of writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it belongs to

Indicates possession or affiliation; slightly less formal than "it is owned by".

it is possessed by

Suggests a more formal or legalistic sense of ownership.

it is held by

Emphasizes the act of holding or maintaining ownership, potentially by an organization.

it is under the ownership of

Highlights the concept of ownership, adding a layer of formality.

it is the property of

Formally declares ownership, often used in legal or official contexts.

the owner of it is

Inverts the sentence structure, emphasizing the owner rather than the owned.

it's in the hands of

Suggests control or management, rather than strict ownership.

title to it is vested in

Legal term emphasizing the vesting of ownership rights in a particular entity.

it is controlled by

Focuses on the aspect of control, which may imply ownership or significant influence.

it's managed by

Emphasizes management and oversight, which may be separate from ownership.

FAQs

What's a simple way to express ownership instead of "it is owned by"?

You can use simpler alternatives like "it belongs to" or "it is the property of", depending on the context.

How does "it is owned by" differ from "it is managed by"?

"It is owned by" indicates who legally possesses something, while "it is managed by" refers to who is responsible for its operation, which may not be the owner.

When is it better to use "it is possessed by" over "it is owned by"?

"It is possessed by" is often used in contexts where ownership is not strictly legal or tangible, or where the possession has a deeper meaning, while "it is owned by" is more straightforward, indicating a legal owner.

Is "it is owned by" formal or informal?

The phrase "it is owned by" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives exist if a higher level of formality is needed, such as "it is under the ownership of".