properties

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "properties" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the qualities or attributes of something, or to refer to a piece of land with buildings on it. For example: "The properties of this metal make it especially well-suited for our purposes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Revisionist remakes of classic children's films are all the rage at the moment, as studios seek to dust off properties for fresh audiences.

The Guardian - Opinion

It ran through their properties and, they claim, caused serious damage to their land, crops and animals.

The Guardian

Buildings in good locations on long leases may now be seeing increased demand, but the same cannot be said for retail properties, buildings in so-called "fringe locations" and development sites.

The Guardian - Business

The closer a residence was to the water pump in Broad Street (now called Broadwick Street), the greater the number of deaths – with a few telling exceptions coming from properties that had their own water sources.

The Guardian - Opinion

In many university towns and cities, there are no shortage of willing and solvent tenants to fill their properties.

The Guardian

"It's all well and good getting first-time buyer finances in shape, but it will amount to hollow words if there are no properties available for them to buy, and if competition continues to push house prices higher and higher".

The Guardian - Money

Among the cheapest properties, for overseas students of more modest means, is a £275-a-week bedsit in Egerton Garden Mews, but it's so small tenants will have to climb a ladder to get to the "raised bed area".

The Guardian - Money

"Many people who took out Swiss franc mortgages for properties in Cyprus did so simply because the interest rate was lower, and they say they were never warned of the currency risks," says Richard Gorrill at overseas mortgages specialist Conti, based in Hove, East Sussex.

The Guardian - Money

Of course, with his ambition, he tweaked the format and set up his own properties, X Factor and Got Talent; they became the conveyor belts to his movie ambitions.

The Guardian - Film

Away: Cut-price Tuscany Villa-booking website To Tuscany has cut prices on 100 of its properties in the month of June.

The Guardian - Travel

New guidance is due to be published in March, and it is likely to extend the code of practice that currently covers commercial CCTV use to domestic properties.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal or real estate contexts, clarify whether you are referring to physical "properties" (land and buildings) or intellectual "properties" (patents, trademarks, copyrights).

Common error

Avoid confusing "property", which refers to possessions or characteristics, with "propriety", which denotes proper behavior or etiquette. For instance, using "property" when you mean "propriety" can drastically alter the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "properties" is as a plural noun. It refers either to characteristics or qualities of something or to multiple pieces of real estate or possessions. As a plural noun, it requires plural verb forms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "properties" functions as a plural noun, commonly used to describe either the attributes of an object or substance, or multiple possessions, particularly real estate. According to Ludwig, its usage is grammatically correct. The analysis reveals its prevalence in contexts such as News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. Key considerations include distinguishing between the characteristics and real estate senses, and avoiding confusion with the word "propriety". Alternatives include "attributes", "characteristics", and "assets", each offering nuanced shades of meaning. By understanding these distinctions, writers can use "properties" with precision and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attributes

Focuses on inherent qualities or characteristics.

characteristics

Highlights distinguishing features or traits.

features

Emphasizes notable aspects or qualities.

qualities

Refers to distinctive attributes or characteristics.

assets

Stresses valuable resources or possessions.

holdings

Indicates possessions, especially land or investments.

possessions

Highlights items or things that are owned.

belongings

Refers to personal items or things that belong to someone.

real estate

Specifically refers to land and buildings.

land

Refers to a piece of ground and its surrounding area.

FAQs

How to use "properties" in a sentence?

You can use "properties" to refer to the characteristics of something, as in: "The "properties of this metal" make it ideal for construction". Or, you can use it to refer to real estate, as in: "They own several "properties in the city"".

What can I say instead of "properties" when referring to characteristics?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "attributes", "characteristics", or "features". For instance, "The key attributes of this material are its durability and flexibility".

Which is correct, "properties of" or "property of" when discussing an element?

When discussing multiple characteristics of an element or substance, use "properties of", as in "the chemical properties of water". Use "property of" when referring to a single, specific attribute: "One important property of gold is its resistance to corrosion".

What's the difference between "properties" and "assets"?

"Properties" can refer to both physical real estate and inherent characteristics, while "assets" typically refer to valuable resources or possessions that contribute economic value. You might say "the company's real estate properties are among its most valuable assets".