ow'st

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "ow'st" is not a real word in English.
It is a contraction of the phrase "owest thou", which has fallen out of use in modern English.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But thy eternal summer shall not fade Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st; Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade, When in eternal lines to time thou grow'st; So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

Huffington Post

But thy eternal goodness shall not fall, Nor lose possession of that taste thou ow'st, Nor shall I hesitate to drink you in the shade When in eternal lines to time my thirst grow'st.

The New York Times

"Ow'st" in line ten can also carry two meanings equally common at the time: "ownest" and "owest".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Ow ow ow ow WOW!

The New Yorker

Ow ow ow ow ow! Anyway, they look very comfortable.

The New Yorker

"Ow, Todd?

The Guardian - Books

Ow! Whack!

The Guardian - Music

"Ow! Fuck!

The Guardian - Music

Ow, indeed.

The New York Times

"Ow!" he shrieked.

The New Yorker

"Ow," Lou says.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "ow'st" in modern writing as it is archaic and can confuse readers. Instead, use the modern form "owe" or other appropriate synonyms.

Common error

Don't assume that using older forms of words like "ow'st" will make your writing sound more sophisticated. It usually just makes it sound outdated and can detract from your message.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ow'st" is as an archaic second-person singular present form of the verb "owe". It is related to possession or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is uncommon in modern English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ow'st" is an archaic form of the verb "owe", specifically the second-person singular present tense. Ludwig AI confirms that it is not commonly used in modern English and is considered grammatically incorrect in contemporary contexts. While it appears in some older texts and is documented in resources like Wikipedia, modern writers should opt for the more common and readily understood "owe". When expressing the concept of owing, consider using alternative phrases such as "are indebted to" or "are obligated to" to ensure clarity and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

owe

Replaces the archaic second-person singular form with the modern, general form.

own

Substitutes a more common term for possession instead of obligation.

possess

Formal replacement focusing on ownership rather than indebtedness.

are indebted to

Replaces a single word with a full phrase to clarify the meaning of owing something.

are obligated to

More formal phrasing emphasizes a sense of duty or requirement.

have a duty to

Focuses on the responsibility associated with an obligation.

are responsible for

Emphasizes accountability instead of direct ownership.

are liable for

Legalistic phrasing that highlights legal responsibility.

are bound to

Highlights commitment or necessity.

are in debt to

Specifies the state of owing money or gratitude.

FAQs

What does "ow'st" mean?

"Ow'st" is an archaic form of "owest", meaning "you owe". It's rarely used in modern English.

How can I use "owe" in a sentence?

You can use "owe" in sentences like "I owe you an apology" or "They owe the bank money".

Is it correct to say "ow'st" in modern English?

No, it is not correct to use "ow'st" in modern English. Use "owe" instead.

What are some alternatives to saying someone 'owes' something?

Depending on the context, you could say they "are indebted to", "are obligated to", or "are responsible for" something.