one of theirs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one of theirs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that belongs to a group of people being discussed, indicating possession. Example: "I found a book on the table, and I believe it's one of theirs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She's not really one of theirs, their attitude says, and the secrets of her birth are too awful to be told.

The New York Times - Books

No, but they might have at least put the spotlight on one of theirs, instead of playing defense against all the Republican issues.

Huffington Post

But at least nine families here, in the strip of towns along the Kentucky-Tennessee border, learned on Sunday that it had been one of theirs.

The New York Times

It's a lovely hotel with amazing views and the owner looks very favourably on cyclists, whether you take your own bike or hire one of theirs.

The Guardian - Travel

He turns to a couple of relatives, who get inhalers through their own insurance for asthma or bronchitis, to give him one of theirs.

The Washington Post

Al-Araibi was one of theirs.

The Guardian - Sport

But I quite fancy one of theirs …".

The Guardian - Sport

But a powerful Bahraini was also one of theirs.

The Guardian - Sport

He's one of theirs -- you know, a Texan.

The New York Times - Magazine

But, Ms. Forde said, "it's often one of theirs".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I've dealt with black people who've been just as unhappy I've taken one of 'theirs' away as I have white people who don't get it or are offended".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "one of theirs", ensure the context clearly identifies the group you're referring to. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly mentioning the group beforehand.

Common error

Avoid using "one of theirs" if the group it refers to is not clearly established in the text. This can lead to confusion and require the reader to guess the intended reference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one of theirs" functions as a possessive pronoun phrase. It refers to something belonging to or associated with a particular group of people. As Ludwig confirms, it is a standard and acceptable construction in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

13%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "one of theirs" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that something belongs to or is associated with a particular group, as affirmed by Ludwig. It's frequently found in "News & Media", "Academia", and Wiki contexts. When using the phrase, ensure the group being referenced is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "one of their own" or "belonging to them" can provide subtle differences in emphasis. As Ludwig points out, this phrase is quite versatile, but clarity in its usage is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one of their own

Emphasizes that the person or thing belongs to the group being discussed, highlighting a sense of shared identity.

one that is theirs

Emphasizes the ownership or belonging.

a member of their group

Directly states the belonging to a specific group.

belonging to them

Focuses on the possession aspect, indicating something is owned by the group.

from their side

Indicates origin or perspective from the group.

a product of their efforts

Highlights that something is a result of the group's work.

a creation of theirs

Focuses on the aspect of something being created or invented by the group.

part of their collection

Specifies that something is included within a larger set owned by the group.

one under their umbrella

Suggests being part of a group or organization offering support or protection.

one associated with them

Indicates a connection or affiliation with the group.

FAQs

How can I use "one of theirs" in a sentence?

Use "one of theirs" to refer to an item, person, or idea that belongs to a specific group. For example, "I think that car is "one of theirs"."

What is a synonym for "one of theirs"?

A synonym for "one of theirs" could be "one of their own" or "belonging to them". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "that's one of theirs"?

Yes, "that's one of theirs" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate that something belongs to a particular group.

What's the difference between "one of theirs" and "one of them"?

"One of theirs" implies a sense of possession or association with a specific group, while "one of them" is more general. For instance, "That idea is "one of theirs"" suggests the idea originated from a specific group, whereas "one of them" simply means the idea came from someone within a group.