not even mine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not even mine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something does not belong to you or is not your responsibility, often in a context of surprise or emphasis. Example: "I can't believe you thought I would take that money; it's not even mine!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Not even mine.

The Guardian - Books

No, not even mine.

The Guardian

Also, Henry was not even mine.

The New York Times - Magazine

"She'll post something about someone else, and I find myself stalking her friends — not even mine!

The New York Times

"Just off up the end of the garden with 3 Sony Gold awards (one current, one not even mine) and a stick of dynamite". Baker added: "The BBC cuts are essential and I am happy to fall on their sword.

The Guardian

Apparently not even mine.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

I'd nearly burned myself out of a home, and the home wasn't even mine.

The New Yorker

"These aren't even mine," he says, and he might mean the pants or the blood spots.

The New Yorker

"The money that paid for my stock in the first place wasn't even mine, I borrowed it from a loan company," says Marie-Michelle.

The Guardian

Call of Duty Ghosts often has two tiles side by side for reasons I can't explain (as seen above in a system that isn't even mine).

Forbes

Wasn't even mine.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not even mine" to express surprise or mild indignation when something is wrongly attributed to you. For example, "I can't believe they blamed me for the mistake; it was "not even mine"!"

Common error

Avoid using "not even mine" as a blanket dismissal of all involvement. If you had some indirect connection, even if the primary fault lies elsewhere, acknowledge that limited role to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not even mine" functions as a declarative statement used to negate ownership or responsibility with added emphasis. It expresses that something does not belong to the speaker, often with a sense of surprise or frustration. This is confirmed by Ludwig AI, which marks the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not even mine" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to deny ownership or responsibility with emphasis. As validated by Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, especially when correcting a misunderstanding or deflecting unwarranted association. While versatile, caution should be exercised to avoid overgeneralization and to acknowledge any indirect involvement where appropriate. The examples gathered by Ludwig, primarily from news and media sources, highlight the phrase's utility in clarifying one's relationship (or lack thereof) to a given subject, often carrying a tone of surprise or frustration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not my own

Focuses on the lack of personal ownership.

doesn't belong to me

Directly states the absence of belonging.

not in my possession

Emphasizes the physical absence of ownership.

not attributable to me

Highlights the lack of responsibility or connection.

nothing to do with me

Distances oneself from any involvement.

not my responsibility

Specifically denies accountability.

outside my purview

Indicates something is beyond one's area of control or concern.

not my concern

Expresses indifference or lack of interest.

not under my control

Denotes a lack of authority or management.

not of my making

Indicates a lack of creation or contribution.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "not even mine"?

Consider alternatives such as "not my own", "doesn't belong to me", or "not my responsibility" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "not even mine"?

Yes, the phrase "not even mine" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate that something does not belong to you or is not your responsibility.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "not even mine"?

Use "not even mine" when you want to emphasize that something is absolutely not your property, creation, or fault. It often carries a tone of surprise or frustration.

What's the difference between "not mine" and "not even mine"?

"Not mine" simply states lack of ownership. "Not even mine" adds emphasis, suggesting surprise or disbelief that the item or responsibility would be associated with you in the first place.