not mine

USAGE SUMMARY

"not mine" is both a correct phrase and usable in written English.
For example, "This pen is not mine; it belongs to my neighbor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not mine.

The Guardian

"Not mine," he stressed.

The New Yorker

But not mine.

The New Yorker

"Your fault, not mine".

The New Yorker

(It's not mine).

The New York Times - Travel

Not mine, anyway.

The New Yorker

"They're not mine," he said.

The New York Times

It's not mine, it's yours".

Independent

His life was not mine.

The New Yorker

Their words, not mine.

The New Yorker

His decision, not mine.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not mine" to clearly disassociate yourself from something, whether it's an object, an idea, or a responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "not mine" when you simply dislike something; it should only be used to deny actual ownership or responsibility. For example, saying "That opinion is not mine" is incorrect if you simply disagree with it, rather than it being falsely attributed to you.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not mine" functions primarily as a determiner phrase, specifically a possessive pronoun used to negate ownership or responsibility. Ludwig shows that it frequently appears after a noun or pronoun to clarify that something does not belong to the speaker.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not mine" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to disclaim ownership or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms that it is perfectly acceptable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase serves to clearly disassociate oneself from something. While simple, the phrase is versatile, with alternatives like "doesn't belong to me" or "not my responsibility" offering nuanced ways to express the same sentiment. When employing this phrase, clarity is key to avoid misinterpretations. Therefore, ensure that the context makes it obvious to the audience what you are disclaiming ownership for.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doesn't belong to me

Emphasizes the absence of ownership in a more direct manner.

I don't own it

A simple and direct way to state a lack of ownership.

it's not my property

Highlights the lack of legal ownership of something.

that's somebody else's

Indicates that someone else is the owner or responsible party.

not my responsibility

Shifts the focus to a lack of obligation or duty regarding something.

I disclaim ownership

A formal way to reject ownership or responsibility.

I'm not responsible

Focuses on disclaiming any liability or accountability.

that's not on me

An informal way of saying something is not your responsibility.

it wasn't me

Denies involvement or responsibility for an action or situation.

it's not my fault

Places blame elsewhere, indicating no personal responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "not mine" in a sentence?

You can use "not mine" to disclaim ownership, responsibility, or agreement. For instance, "This mistake is "not mine"; it was made by someone else." Or, "That interpretation is "not mine"."

What's a more formal way to say "not mine"?

While "not mine" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives include "does not belong to me", "is not my property", or "I disclaim ownership".

Is it correct to say "not mine responsibility"?

No, the correct phrasing is "not my responsibility". The possessive pronoun 'my' is required.

When should I use "not mine" versus "it wasn't me"?

"Not mine" is best used to disclaim ownership or association with something tangible or intangible. "It wasn't me" is typically used to deny involvement in an action or event.