ownership

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ownership" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the state or fact of possessing something, whether it be property, rights, or responsibilities. Example: "The ownership of the land has been disputed for years, leading to legal battles between the two parties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thus it was able to predict "double-digit" enhancement to earnings in the first year of ownership; if achieved, that would be a good start.

The Guardian

Their nudity is a protest against objectification, specifically the feeling that women have been "stripped of ownership" of their own bodies [5].

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If last week didn't see the return to public ownership that Judt hankered for, it at least saw Network Rail take a stand that puts UK plc to shame and should be replicated in every boardroom across the country.

The Guardian - Business

"You have helped lay the ground for us to continue with these reforms in the years to come, helping more people onto the housing ladder with the security that home ownership brings".

The Guardian

In football, this kind of ownership is achieved by supporting a team; its history becomes bound up with personal history, done and done.

The Guardian - Sport

Media ownership laws allow foreign ownership of non-news titles, but impose a 26% ceiling on news publications.

The Guardian

And bolstered by successive polls that have shown the vast majority of Britons to be in favour of repatriation it has put aside the issue of ownership, instead proposing joint curatorship of the sculptures through the establishment of a branch of the British Museum in Athens.

The Guardian - Arts

Car ownership is also a symbol of success in Beijing, China, and has resulted in a rapid increase in congestion, air pollution and traffic-related deaths.

The Guardian

They can say they went to a restaurant before it was one – it gives them a sense of ownership.

The Guardian

The Financial Times reported that sections of the bill had been completed before the election, but the contentious issue of media ownership was left blank for fear that moguls such as Rupert Murdoch would take offence.

The Guardian

And that has been achieved not only by using Ecuador's limited oil wealth to benefit the majority, but by making corporations and the well-off pay their taxes (receipts have almost tripled in six years), raising public investment to 15% of national income, extending public ownership, tough renegotiation of oil contracts and re-regulating the banking system to support development.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing complex legal or business arrangements, specify the type of "ownership" (e.g., joint, shared, sole) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "ownership" when you mean mere "possession". "Ownership" implies a legal right, while "possession" simply means having physical control.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ownership" is as a noun, representing the state, right, or act of possessing something. Ludwig, with its examples, confirms that "ownership" commonly functions as the object of prepositions (e.g., "of", "in") or as a subject in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "ownership" is a very common noun that denotes the state or right of possessing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. When using "ownership", it's important to distinguish it from "possession", ensuring that the legal right is accurately conveyed. For varied expression, consider alternatives like "proprietorship", "possession", or "control", keeping in mind the subtle differences in meaning. Pay attention to the type of "ownership" you are writing about to avoid any misunderstanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Right of possession

States a legal entitlement to hold something.

Proprietorship

Focuses on the right to own and control property or a business.

Legal claim

Expresses a justified demand for something as one's property or right.

Possession

Emphasizes the act of holding or controlling something.

Holding

Describes the act of possessing something.

Title

Refers to the legal right to own something, especially land or property.

Control

Highlights the power to direct or manage something.

Custody

Implies temporary holding or guardianship of something.

Dominion

Suggests supreme authority or control.

Tenure

Relates to the period or conditions of holding something, especially land or an office.

FAQs

How to use "ownership" in a sentence?

You can use "ownership" to indicate possession or control. For instance, "The company transferred the "ownership of the patent" to its subsidiary".

What can I say instead of "ownership"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "possession", "control", or "proprietorship".

What's the difference between "ownership" and "possession"?

"Ownership" implies a legal right to something, while "possession" simply means having physical control or custody. You can have possession without "ownership", but not the other way around.

Which is correct, "ownership of" or "owning of"?

"Ownership of" is generally preferred and more grammatically correct when referring to the state of possessing something. "Owning of" is less common and can sound awkward in many contexts.