who owns

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "who owns" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when inquiring about the ownership of something or identifying the owner of a particular item or entity. Example: "I wonder who owns the old bookstore on the corner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Who owns the  data?

The Economist

Who owns BP stock?

The New York Times

Who owns intellectual property?

The New York Times

Who owns my behavior?

The New York Times

WHO owns the land?

The New York Times

Tells who owns them.

The New Yorker

WHO owns the Moon?

The Economist

Who owns the media?

Harvard University

Who Owns Bolivia?

Columbia University

"Who Owns Our Data?

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

CNN: Who owns America?

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "who owns", ensure the context clearly defines what is being owned. Be specific to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "who owns the company" instead of just "who owns".

Common error

Avoid using "who's owns" instead of "who owns". "Who's" is a contraction of "who is" or "who has", while "who owns" is the correct interrogative form to inquire about ownership.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "who owns" functions as an interrogative phrase, primarily used to elicit information about the owner of something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

37%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "who owns" is a versatile and frequently used interrogative phrase, designed to pinpoint ownership across diverse scenarios. As Ludwig AI highlights, its grammatical correctness and broad applicability make it suitable for numerous contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, academic discussions, and scientific inquiries, it maintains a neutral register. While direct and widely understood, alternatives like "to whom does it belong?" or "whose property is it?" can add nuance. The key is to specify clearly what is being owned. Avoiding common errors like "who's owns" will ensure clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to whom does it belong

Emphasizes the concept of belonging and possession.

whose property is it

Rephrases the question to focus on the property aspect of ownership.

who has possession of

Focuses on the act of possessing something, rather than outright ownership.

who is the proprietor of

Uses a more formal term for owner, indicating a business or establishment.

who is the holder of

A more formal way to ask who possesses something, often a title or right.

under whose control is it

Shifts the focus to control, implying a degree of influence or management.

who is in charge of

Implies responsibility and management rather than strict ownership.

who asserts ownership of

Emphasizes the act of claiming or declaring ownership.

who lays claim to

Suggests a potential dispute or competition over ownership.

who can call it their own

A more idiomatic and expressive way to ask about ownership.

FAQs

How can I use "who owns" in a sentence?

The phrase "who owns" is used to inquire about the owner of something. For example: "Who owns this building?" or "Who owns the data?".

What's the difference between "who owns" and "whose"?

"Who owns" is a question asking about the owner, while "whose" is a possessive pronoun indicating ownership. Example: "Who owns the car?" vs. "Whose car is that?".

Is it correct to say "who is owning" instead of "who owns"?

While grammatically possible, "who is owning" is less common and often sounds awkward. "Who owns" is generally preferred for simple present tense questions about ownership.

What are some alternative ways to ask "who owns" something?

Alternatives include "to whom does it belong?", "whose property is it?", or "who is the owner of?" depending on the desired level of formality.