something of theirs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "something of theirs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an object or concept that belongs to a group of people or individuals previously mentioned. Example: "I found something of theirs in the park, and I wanted to return it to them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"They use my nibs in their beer, and I wanted to work with something of theirs". Parkes says there's "a little subversive, ironic thrill in making white chocolate at a higher level". This can also be said of German chocolate maker Georgia Ramon, which features such white chocolate combinations as organic kale with mustard and salted Sicilian almonds with broccoli.

The Washington Post

"You want to demonstrate your personal style and then integrate something of theirs," she said.

The New York Times

"Actresses would come to his office with something of theirs in a paper grocery bag and say, 'Hey, doc, you want this?' " his daughter said.

The New York Times

'I'll put something lovely on a hook and someone will come along and swap it for something of theirs.' Being Port Eliot, she can presumably hold out for some high-class threads.

The Guardian - Books

"But it turned out someone from my school put some graffiti on something of theirs.

Vice

"As Disney began looking for ways to make the most of this billion dollar acquisition, it became clear very early on that Marvel wanted Disney Animation to take something of theirs and then make it our own".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Or I used to find it nice, until I discovered that there was an unspoken rule that if someone likes something of yours, you're supposed to like something back of theirs, even if you don't like anything of theirs at all.

Huffington Post

I've admired their work since I started shooting so I'm really glad to finally be able to show my appreciation and put something together of theirs.

Vice

Take them out for dinner or do something, like a favorite hobby of theirs or something that you know is comforting to them.

WikiHow

The Pointless host, and co-star of double act Armstrong and Miller, said in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph: "I do bitterly resent it when people of any kind are attacked because of something that is no fault of theirs - like who their parents are.

Independent

This had become a game of theirs, something to keep up spirits.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "something of theirs" when you want to avoid specifying exactly what the item is, focusing instead on the possessive relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "something of they" as it's grammatically incorrect. The correct possessive form is "theirs", not "they". Remember to use "something of theirs" to indicate that the item belongs to a group.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something of theirs" functions as a noun phrase acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to an unspecified item that is owned or associated with a group of people. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "something of theirs" is a grammatically sound phrase that indicates an unspecified item belonging to a group. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it's commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and wiki sources. When writing, remember to use "theirs", and not "they", to correctly indicate possession. Consider alternatives such as "something belonging to them" for enhanced clarity. The phrase is versatile, serving to imply ownership without the need to specify the item in question.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something belonging to them

Rephrases the idea using 'belonging to' instead of the possessive 'of theirs'.

an item of theirs

Substitutes "something" with "an item", offering a more concrete feel.

a possession of theirs

Replaces "something" with "a possession", highlighting ownership.

something that belongs to them

Expands the phrase for clarity, emphasizing ownership.

a thing they own

Uses simpler vocabulary to convey the same meaning.

one of their belongings

Focuses on a single item from their collection.

some property of theirs

Uses the formal term "property" to refer to the item.

an article of their property

Formal and specific, referring to a single item.

something from their collection

Highlights that the item is part of a larger set.

a piece owned by them

Breaks down the possessive relationship explicitly.

FAQs

How can I use "something of theirs" in a sentence?

You can use "something of theirs" to refer to an unspecified item belonging to a group. For example: "I found "something of theirs" in the park."

What can I say instead of "something of theirs"?

You can use alternatives like "something belonging to them", "an item of theirs", or "a possession of theirs" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "something of they" instead of "something of theirs"?

No, "something of they" is grammatically incorrect. The correct possessive pronoun is "theirs". Use ""something of theirs"" to indicate possession by a group.

What's the difference between "something of theirs" and "something that belongs to them"?

The phrase ""something of theirs"" is a more concise way of saying "something that belongs to them". Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning.