thing of mine

USAGE SUMMARY

"thing of mine" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to an object, possession, or quality that belongs to you. For example: My latest invention is a really great thing of mine.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

ZORN People can't say they like one thing of mine without saying they hate another.

The New York Times - Arts

"You know that long thing of mine you liked so much?" he asked.

The New York Times - Arts

Despite my pronounced blunders, aminals have always been a favorite thing of mine: I spent so much time at the Central Park Zoo that I was asked to leave!

The New Yorker

I think it's interesting that the only thing of mine that we've actually gone in and just amended because it was too strong and too unpleasant was a literal telling of a story in the bible.

The Guardian

There's a sense now of every man for himself, a turn from 'this thing of ours' to 'this thing of mine.' " Gangsters used to talk righteously about avoiding the drug trade, but they couldn't resist the profit margins; and when a gangster is facing ten to life for narcotics trafficking — as opposed to a few years for hijacking a truck — he is more likely to testify for the government.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I was to bring nightwear and other things of mine to leave on a table for public display.

The New York Times - Arts

"I'm looking through old things of mine, and there was this binder from when I was 14 years old.

The Guardian - Film

So, it's been about putting things of mine in here while keeping that there.

Huffington Post

People tell me they have seen things of mine there, or posted on Immanent Frame, or videos of me being interviewed, and so forth.

Huffington Post

"This is the kind of thing a friend of mine thinks I gave her for Christmas, but I didn't.

The New Yorker

Even Mann, whose words featured prominently in early soundbites published from the emails, began an op-ed in the Washington Post with the words: "I cannot condone some things that colleagues of mine wrote".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thing of mine" to refer to something you have a personal connection to or a sense of ownership over. It can add a touch of informality or intimacy to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "thing of mine" in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more direct and precise language to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thing of mine" functions as a possessive phrase, indicating ownership or association. It is typically used as a noun phrase substitute, referring to something belonging to the speaker. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from personal creations to abstract ideas.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "thing of mine" is a grammatically sound and infrequently utilized phrase that serves to denote possession or a personal connection to something. Ludwig's examples are predominantly from News & Media sources, highlighting its limited yet present usage in various writing contexts. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct to use in written English when referring to an object, possession, or quality that belongs to you, but its usage should be carefully considered based on the formality required by the writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an item of mine

Replaces "thing" with "item", which is a more general and neutral term.

a possession of mine

Substitutes "thing" with "possession", emphasizing ownership and slightly increasing formality.

one of my belongings

Uses "belongings" to refer to possessions and specifies that it is one of several.

something i own

Replaces "thing" with "something" and uses the verb "own" to indicate possession, creating a more direct statement.

something that belongs to me

Rephrases the idea using "belongs to me", making the possessive relationship explicit.

a piece of my collection

Suggests that the "thing" is part of a larger set, implying a deliberate accumulation.

a creation of mine

Implies that the "thing" was made or produced by the speaker, emphasizing authorship.

something i created

Focuses on the act of creation by the speaker, emphasizing authorship

something i cherish

Implies that the item has value to the speaker.

my personal item

Emphasizes that the item is for the speaker's use

FAQs

How can I use "thing of mine" in a sentence?

You can use "thing of mine" to refer to something you own, created, or are associated with. For example, "This invention is a special "thing of mine"."

What's a more formal way to say "thing of mine"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "my possession" or "an item that belongs to me" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it appropriate to use "thing of mine" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "thing of mine" might be too informal for academic writing. Opt for more precise and formal language relevant to your field of study.

What's the difference between "something of mine" and "thing of mine"?

"Something of mine" is generally broader and refers to any possession. "Thing of mine" is often used for a specific object or creation you want to highlight.