their copies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "their copies" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to copies of a document, item, or material that belong to a specific group of people. Example: "Each student should bring their copies of the textbook to class for discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They receive their copies by airmail.

The Guardian

Their copies do not violate existing law.

The New York Times

My neighbors tossed their copies into the recycling bin.

The New York Times - Arts

The Clippers, towering above him, reached down for their copies.

The New Yorker

I read, the others followed attentively in their copies.

The New Yorker

Many readers, including me, are still waiting for their copies.

Independent

All my friends who waited in the cold outside a Waterstone's for their copies are jealous!

The Guardian - Books

Meanwhile, government agencies are working on their copies of the same files.

The New York Times

All schools are expected to have received their copies by the end of the month.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

They ship their copying machine to someone.

Yale University

And the Israelis had already gone home with their copy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific group's documents or items, use "their copies" to clearly indicate possession. For example, "Ensure all attendees have "their copies" of the agenda."

Common error

Avoid using "there" or "they're" in place of "their" before "copies". "There copies" or "they're copies" are grammatically incorrect and will confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "their copies" functions as a determiner + noun structure, where "their" is a possessive pronoun acting as a determiner specifying ownership of the noun "copies". Ludwig examples confirm its role in identifying which copies are being referenced.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

19%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "their copies" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that serves to clearly indicate possession of multiple copies of something by a group of people. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It's most frequently found in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using the phrase, ensure correct spelling and avoid confusion with "there" or "they're". Understanding these nuances will enable precise and effective communication. Remember to choose synonyms carefully, maintaining the appropriate context and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the copies they own

Rephrases to emphasize ownership of the copies.

copies in their possession

Highlights the physical control of the copies.

the copies belonging to them

States ownership in a more formal way.

their own copies

Emphasizes that the copies are specifically theirs.

the aforementioned copies

Refers to copies previously mentioned in the context.

the respective copies

Used when different individuals or groups each have their own specific copy.

the duplicate versions they have

Highlights that the copies are duplicates of an original.

the issues they received

Applicable when "copies" refers to publications like magazines or reports.

the documents they possess

Replaces "copies" with a more general term, "documents".

the files in their system

Replaces "copies" when referring to digital files.

FAQs

How do I use "their copies" in a sentence?

Use "their copies" to refer to multiple copies belonging to a group of people. For example: "The students brought "their copies" of the textbook to class."

What's the difference between "their copies" and "the copies they have"?

"Their copies" is a more concise way of saying "the copies that belong to them". Both are grammatically correct, but "their copies" is often preferred for its brevity.

Can I use "its copies" instead of "their copies"?

No, "its copies" should be used when referring to copies belonging to a singular entity (like a company or organization). Use "their copies" when referring to multiple people.

What can I say instead of "their copies"?

You can use alternatives like "the copies they own" or "copies in their possession", depending on the context.