property of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "property of" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is typically used to indicate ownership of a particular item or items. For example, you could say, "This pen is the property of Emily."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That magic is the property of Nutriset.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is the property of the temple.

Independent

What property of molecules?

Yale University

Dynamical property of frozen soils.

Cold Regions Science and Technology

Rembrandt is the property of the world.

The Guardian

There is no transitive property of indebtedness.

The New Yorker

"Toktogul is the property of Kyrgyzstan.

The New York Times

"Women are the property of men.

The New York Times

What is the magical property of "willing"?

The Guardian

Fractalness is a ubiquitous property of nature.

Nature

This intelligence is a property of networks.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "property of" to denote ownership, ensure that the subject clearly identifies who or what owns the item. For instance, "This document is the property of Acme Corporation."

Common error

Avoid using "property of" for intangible concepts where "characteristic of" or "attribute of" would be more appropriate. Instead of saying "Intelligence is the property of humans," consider "Intelligence is a characteristic of humans."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "property of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase indicating ownership or a defining attribute. Ludwig AI shows its frequent usage in contexts where possession or a key characteristic is being established. It serves to specify to whom or what something belongs, as seen in examples like "Rembrandt is the property of the world."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "property of" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate ownership or attribute, as affirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a prepositional phrase, conveying a formal tone, particularly when found in news, scientific, and academic settings. While simpler alternatives exist, understanding the specific context will help you choose the most appropriate way to express ownership or describe defining features. Ludwig's examples confirm this multifaceted usage, highlighting its relevance across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

owned by

This alternative directly states ownership, replacing the more formal "property of" with a simpler expression.

belonging to

Similar to "owned by", this indicates possession but can also imply a sense of origin or association.

in the possession of

This phrase emphasizes the act of possessing something, adding a layer of formality.

under the ownership of

This phrase highlights the state of being owned, emphasizing legal or formal control.

held by

This indicates possession or control, often used in a legal or formal context.

characteristic of

This alternative shifts the focus from ownership to a defining attribute or quality.

a feature of

Similar to "characteristic of", but often used for more concrete or tangible aspects.

an attribute of

This is a more formal and abstract way to express a quality or characteristic.

the hallmark of

This phrase suggests a distinctive or defining feature, moving away from simple ownership.

intrinsic to

This emphasizes that something is an essential part or quality of something else, not necessarily ownership.

FAQs

How can I use "property of" in a sentence?

The phrase "property of" is used to indicate ownership. For example, you can say, "This book is the property of the library" or "All submitted entries become the "property of" the contest organizers."

What are some alternatives to using "property of"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "owned by", "belonging to", or "in the possession of" instead of "property of". For example, instead of "This land is the property of the government", you might say "This land is "owned by" the government".

Is it correct to use "property of" when referring to qualities or characteristics?

While "property of" primarily denotes ownership, it can sometimes refer to inherent qualities. However, in such cases, "characteristic of" or "attribute of" may be more precise. For instance, use "The diuretic "property of" dapagliflozin warrants further evaluation" is correct but "kindness is a property of that person" may be better phrased as "kindness is a "characteristic of" that person".

What is the difference between "property of" and "possession of"?

"Property of" emphasizes legal ownership or the right to possess, while "possession of" simply indicates that someone or something holds or controls something. While they are similar, "property of" is often used in more formal or legal contexts. For example, "The document is the "property of" the company", versus "The suspect was found in "possession of" stolen goods".