their own

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "their own" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate possession or individuality, often in contexts where you are referring to something that belongs to or is characteristic of a specific group or person. Example: "Each student should bring their own materials to the workshop."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're their own people.

The New York Times - Magazine

"That's their own opinion.

The New York Times - Sports

With their own hands.

The New York Times

"They're their own bosses.

The New York Times - Magazine

But not their own.

The Economist

For their own good.

The New Yorker

Everyone's their own person".

The New York Times

"In their own eyes.

The New York Times - Magazine

Everyone creates their own".

The New York Times

Surveying their own careers?

The New York Times - Arts

They're on their own".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "their own" to emphasize possession or individuality when referring to a group. For instance, "Students should develop their own strategies for learning."

Common error

Avoid using "there" or "they're" in place of "their own". "There" indicates a location, and "they're" is a contraction of "they are". For example, the correct phrase is "They created their own website," not "They created there own website" or "They created they're own website".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "their own" functions primarily as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate possession, origin, or association with a particular group. Ludwig examples show it used to denote belongings, ideas, or characteristics specific to the group being referenced. It emphasizes that something is not shared or imposed, but rather originates from within the group itself.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "their own" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate possession, origin, or association with a specific group. As shown by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to avoid confusing it with homophones like "there" or "they're". Emphasizing clarity and distinctiveness, "their own" is a versatile tool for expressing individuality and group ownership.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

their very own

Adds emphasis to the idea of something belonging to them.

belonging to them

This alternative directly emphasizes ownership by the group in question.

exclusively their

Emphasizes that something is only for them and no one else.

uniquely theirs

This phrase highlights the unique and exclusive nature of something owned by them.

distinctly theirs

Highlights the clear and recognizable ownership or characteristic.

of their possession

A more formal way of indicating ownership or belonging.

personally theirs

Focuses on the personal connection to what is owned.

specific to them

Indicates something is particular or unique to the group.

each to their own

A common idiom indicating that people have different preferences or opinions.

that which belongs to them

A more verbose and formal way to express ownership.

FAQs

How can I use "their own" in a sentence?

"Their own" is used to indicate possession or individuality relating to a group. Example: "The students designed "their own" projects".

What is a good alternative to "their own"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "belonging to them", "uniquely theirs", or "exclusively their".

Is "their own" formal or informal?

"Their own" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

When should I use "each to their own" instead of "their own"?

Use "each to their own" when expressing that people have different preferences or opinions, whereas "their own" simply indicates possession or origin.