owns a collection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "owns a collection" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who possesses a group of items, typically related by a common theme or interest. Example: "She owns a collection of rare stamps from around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Hemmings, a monthly magazine chock-full of advertisements for collectible cars, parts and related services, also owns a collection of 78 old cars and trucks, a handful of them quite rare.

The New York Times

Science – Mr. Qaddafi owns a collection of exotic pets.

The New York Times

Vincent owns a collection now worth over a million.

The New Yorker

He owns a collection of beefsteak-cooking utensils, and doesn't mind lending them out.

The New Yorker

Mr. Leung owns a collection of 30 prestige watches, many of them costing more than a million Hong Kong dollars.

The New York Times

He is a coaching enthusiast and owns a collection of paintings of coaching scenes by artist James Pollard (1792-1867).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

"We own a collection of really good businesses," Mr. Grout said.

The New York Times

Owning a collection was allowed, but profiting from it was a crime.

The New York Times - Arts

She owned a collection of vintage painted French posters that lined one room.

The New York Times

Not even the Pope of Trash, John Waters, has fessed up to owning a collection.

The New York Times - Magazine

Or that he owned a collection of DVDs of the Carol Burnett Show?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "owns a collection", ensure that the type of collection is clearly specified. For instance, "owns a collection of vintage cars" is more informative than simply "owns a collection".

Common error

Avoid using "owns a collection" without specifying what the collection consists of. For example, instead of saying "He owns a collection", clarify it with "He owns a collection of rare books".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "owns a collection" functions as a verb phrase where "owns" is the main verb indicating possession and "a collection" is the direct object. This structure indicates that someone possesses a group of items, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "owns a collection" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate possession of a group of items. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It frequently appears in News & Media, with other sources contributing less frequently. Alternatives such as "possesses a collection" or "has a collection of" can be used depending on the desired nuance. When using the phrase, clarity is key: always specify the type of collection being referenced. The phrase serves to declare ownership and is suitable for a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possesses a collection

Replaces "owns" with "possesses", a more formal synonym.

has a collection of

Uses "has" instead of "owns", making it slightly less formal.

is the owner of a collection

More verbose and emphasizes the ownership aspect.

holds a collection

A more formal alternative to "has a collection".

is a collector of

Focuses on the act of collecting rather than the ownership.

keeps a collection

Highlights the act of maintaining and storing the collection.

maintains a collection

Highlights the ongoing effort of keeping a collection.

curates a collection

Suggests a carefully assembled and managed collection.

boasts a collection of

Implies pride in the collection.

amassed a collection

Emphasizes the gradual accumulation of the collection.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "owns a collection"?

You can use alternatives like "possesses a collection", "has a collection of", or "is a collector of" depending on the context.

How do I use "owns a collection" in a sentence?

The phrase "owns a collection" is typically followed by a noun specifying the type of collection. For example: "He owns a collection of rare stamps" or "She owns a collection of vintage dresses".

Is it better to say "owns a collection" or "has a collection"?

Both "owns a collection" and "has a collection" are grammatically correct and widely accepted. "Owns" implies a stronger sense of possession, while "has" is more general. The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired nuance.

What is the difference between "owns a collection" and "curates a collection"?

"Owns a collection" simply means that someone possesses a set of items. "Curates a collection" implies a more active role in selecting, organizing, and presenting the items, often with a specific theme or purpose.