yours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "yours" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate possession or to refer to something that belongs to the person being addressed. Example: "I hope you enjoy the gift; it was chosen with you in mind, and it's truly yours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What is some other feedback you've heard over the years about your management style? A. When you do 360's with your team, you learn that the perception people have about your skills might be different from yours.

The New York Times

I believe in the traditional values: hard work, honour, being knighted by a Queen of a country not yours, just because you mentioned Her in your column.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So do hold your breath and work out how to wear yours.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You tell them what your expectations are, and if their solution is better than yours, that's fantastic.

The New York Times

You take your pictures, drop the film off at the nearest photo developing shop (and, to be fair, they'll probably be thrilled by your custom in this day and age) and then the photos are yours to keep.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Listen to others people's suggestions and add yours to a collaborative Spotify playlist.

The Guardian - Music

If you would like fellow readers to respond to a dilemma of yours, send us an outline of the situation of about 150 words.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If you would like fellow readers and Linda Blair to answer a dilemma of yours, send us an outline of the situation of around 250 words.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After battling through the smorgasbord of showings, landlords and contract negotiations, the property is, to all intents and purposes, yours.

The Guardian

It sounds like this woman of yours could do with an excess of attention on her for a change and that may require you to step up from your previous passive role.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Lord knows how all this may be abused by future governments which in terms of numbers may be rather more ambitious than yours.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "yours" to avoid repeating the noun it replaces, making your writing more concise and fluent. For example, instead of saying 'This book is your book', say 'This book is "yours"'.

Common error

Avoid confusing "yours" (possessive pronoun) with "you're" (contraction of "you are"). "Yours" indicates ownership, while "you're" is a statement about someone's state or identity. Double check if you can replace it with 'you are'.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "yours" is as a possessive pronoun. It replaces a noun phrase to indicate ownership or belonging, as seen in Ludwig's examples where it avoids repetition of the noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Lifestyle

17%

Opinion

9%

Less common in

Music

8%

Education

5%

Travel

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "yours" is a grammatically sound and frequently used possessive pronoun that indicates ownership or belonging. It is generally considered correct in standard English. Ludwig's analysis, along with numerous real-world examples from reputable sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, confirms its widespread usage and acceptability across various contexts. Understanding its function and avoiding common errors, such as confusing it with "you're", will enhance your writing clarity and precision. Ludwig AI also highlights that its meaning is clear, which reinforces why it is a good choice in almost any context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

belonging to you

Replaces the possessive pronoun with a prepositional phrase.

your own

Emphasizes individual ownership or possession.

that which is yours

A more formal and emphatic way of indicating possession.

in your possession

Highlights the state of having something.

at your disposal

Indicates availability for use or control.

held by you

Similar to 'in your possession' but can also imply responsibility.

something you possess

Expresses ownership in a more descriptive way.

your property

Refers to something legally owned.

under your control

Implies authority and management over something.

what you have

A simple way to refer to one's possessions.

FAQs

How do I use "yours" correctly in a sentence?

"Yours" is used as a possessive pronoun to indicate that something belongs to the person you are addressing. For example, "If this is mine, then that must be yours".

What's the difference between "yours" and "your's"?

"Yours" is the correct possessive pronoun. "Your's" is a common misspelling and grammatically incorrect. Always use "yours" to show possession.

Are there alternatives to using "yours" in formal writing?

In formal writing, you can use phrases like "belonging to you" or "that which is yours" for a more emphatic or clearer expression.

Can "yours" be used to refer to a group of people?

Yes, "yours" can refer to something belonging to a group of people you are addressing. For instance, "Is this project "yours" as a team?"