very own

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'very own' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize that something belongs to one person and not to anyone else. For example, "She created her very own soup recipe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My very own ski instructor.

Independent

Their very own mirror.

The New York Times

My very own ukulele.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Our very own coffin.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And form their very own posse.

The Economist

He was our very own".

The Guardian - Books

It's his very own opinion".

The Guardian - Sport

And your very own airport.

The Guardian - Money

Our very own "Auntie Mame".

The New York Times

In our very own parliament.

The Guardian - Music

Our very own Arabia deserta.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very own" to add emphasis to the idea of possession or belonging, making it clear that something is uniquely and personally owned by someone.

Common error

While "very own" is acceptable in most contexts, avoid overuse in formal or academic writing. Consider using more precise language to describe ownership or possession.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very own" functions as an intensifying adjective that modifies a noun, emphasizing ownership or belonging. It adds a personal touch to the idea of possession. Examples from Ludwig illustrate this in contexts like "my very own ski instructor" or "their very own Charlotte Proudman". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very own" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize personal possession or belonging. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and adds a layer of personal connection to the concept of ownership. While suitable for a variety of contexts, it's most common in news, media, and informal writing. When used, it underscores the personal significance or pride associated with the item or concept being described. While acceptable, avoid the phrase in scenarios that require a very formal approach as there might be better alternatives. Examples from Ludwig showcase its usage across diverse situations, reinforcing its versatility and emphasizing power.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solely owned

Focuses on the sole ownership of something.

personally possessed

Emphasizes the act of personally possessing something.

distinctly mine

Highlights the unique possession of something.

uniquely theirs

Focuses on the unique nature of something belonging to someone.

specifically reserved

Highlights that something is specifically reserved for someone's use.

absolutely personal

Emphasizes the personal nature and exclusivity of something.

particularly personal

Emphasizes the personal aspect with added intensity.

exclusively yours

Implies exclusive ownership or belonging.

especially private

Highlights the private and personal nature of something.

entirely individual

Stresses the individual and complete nature of possession.

FAQs

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

You can use "very own" to emphasize possession or belonging, for example, "She built her "very own house"" or "He created his "very own recipe"".

What phrases are similar to "very own"?

Alternatives include "absolutely personal", "exclusively yours", or "solely owned", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to use "very own"?

While the word "own" implies possession, "very own" adds emphasis, making the possession feel more personal and unique. It's not strictly redundant, but its use should be deliberate.

What's the difference between "own" and "very own"?

"Own" indicates possession. "Very own" emphasizes the personal aspect of that possession. For example, saying "my car" simply states ownership, while "my "very own car"" highlights the personal connection or pride in owning that particular car.