own to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "own to" is not correct in standard written English.
You may be trying to use "own up to," which means to admit or take responsibility for something. Example: "He had to own up to his mistakes during the meeting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I own to it, I own up.

The New Yorker

Learn about rainbows and paint your own to take home.

The New York Times

That was enough for OWN to order six more episodes.

The New York Times

I am planning a trip of my own, to Russia.

The Economist

Wake up on your own, to an alarm.

The New York Times

Guests received dolls of their own to take away.

The Economist

At 17, ventured out on her own to New York.

The New York Times

And this photo stands on its own to me.

The New York Times

Rhodes sees these, like his own, to be inevitably "mad".

Independent

We rip our own to shreds whenever they disappoint us.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I put myself on my own to-do list.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "own to" in formal writing. Use "own up to" or other appropriate alternatives like "admit to" or "acknowledge" to ensure grammatical correctness.

Common error

Many writers mistakenly use "own to" when they mean "own up to." "Own up to" is a phrasal verb that means to admit responsibility for something. Using "own to" without the "up" is grammatically incorrect and can confuse readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "own to" is grammatically incorrect. It is often mistaken for the phrasal verb "own up to", which functions as a verb phrase indicating admission or acceptance of responsibility. As Ludwig AI points out, standard written English does not recognize "own to" as a valid construction.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "own to" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in standard English writing. As Ludwig AI's analysis confirms, the correct alternative is the phrasal verb ""own up to"", which means to admit responsibility. Depending on the context, alternatives like "admit to", "confess to", or "acknowledge" may also be suitable. Remember to always prioritize grammatical accuracy and clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

own up to

Includes the particle 'up', making it a phrasal verb meaning to admit responsibility.

admit to

A more direct synonym for confessing or acknowledging something.

confess to

Implies admitting something wrong or shameful.

acknowledge

A more formal way of recognizing or accepting something.

take responsibility for

Emphasizes accepting the consequences of one's actions.

be responsible for

Indicates being accountable or in charge of something.

possess

Indicates ownership or holding something as property.

have

A general term for holding or possessing something.

be the owner of

Clearly states ownership of something.

lay claim to

Asserts a right or title to something.

FAQs

What does "own up to" mean?

"Own up to" means to admit responsibility for something. For example, "He had to "own up to" his mistake".

Is "own to" grammatically correct?

No, "own to" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's often confused with ""own up to"", which is the correct phrasal verb.

What can I say instead of "own to"?

Instead of "own to", you can use phrases like "admit to", "confess to", or "acknowledge" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "own to" and "own up to"?

"Own to" is not a recognized phrase in standard English. The correct phrase is ""own up to"", which means to take responsibility for something.