What is our? Pronunciation and usage in English

our means . Learn how to pronounce and use our through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of our

ourdeterminer

/ˈaʊə//ɑː/
Definition & pronunciation of our

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "our" in English. It's a tricky one because it doesn't follow typical English pronunciation rules!

Here’s the breakdown:

The most common pronunciation (and the one you’ll hear most often):

  • Sounds like "or" (as in "more," "door," or "shore"). This is the dominant pronunciation, especially in American English.

The traditional (and still sometimes heard) pronunciation:

  • Sounds like "ur" (like the beginning of "under"). This is the pronunciation you’d typically hear in British English, and it's based on the word's historical roots.

Here's a breakdown of how to pronounce each version:

1. “Or” (American English - most common)

  • Sound: /ɔr/ (Think of the vowel sound in “more”)
  • Breakdown:
    • "o": As in "go" – a short, open "o" sound.
    • "r": A rolled "r" (though this is becoming less common in some dialects, particularly in the north of the US). If you can’t roll your “r,” just pronounce it as a regular “r.”

2. “Ur” (British English - traditional)

  • Sound: /ɜr/ (Think of the beginning of the word "under")
  • Breakdown:
    • "u": As in "but" – a short, neutral “uh” sound.
    • "r": A tapped "r" (pronounced with the tongue touching the roof of the mouth briefly).

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

Which pronunciation should you use?

  • In the United States, the "or" pronunciation is overwhelmingly preferred and considered standard.
  • In the United Kingdom, the "ur" pronunciation is still common, especially in more formal settings.

To help me tailor my explanation better, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia)?

Usage and examples with the word our in English

The word "our" is a possessive pronoun and demonstrative pronoun in English. Let's break down how to use it correctly:

1. Possessive Pronoun (Showing Ownership)

This is the most common use of "our." It indicates that something belongs to you and the people you’re speaking with.

  • Basic Sentence Structure: Our + noun
    • Example: "This is our house." (The house belongs to you and the people you're talking to.)
    • Example: "We need our tickets." (The tickets belong to you and the people you're talking to.)
  • Multiple Possessives: You can layer possessives, but it can get confusing!
    • Example: "Our team’s victory" (The victory belongs to the team and the people you're talking to)
    • Example: "Our company's profits" (The profits belong to the company and the people you're talking to)

2. Demonstrative Pronoun (Pointing to Something)

Less frequently, "our" can point to something. This is usually quite specific.

  • Emphasis and Proximity: It often refers to something that’s very close to the speaker/writer.
    • Example: "Look at our beautiful garden!" (Referring to the garden nearby.)
    • Example: "I'm wearing our new jackets." (Referring to the jackets you are currently wearing.)

Key Points and Considerations:

  • "We" vs. "Our": "We" is a pronoun that refers to the speaker and the people they're talking with. "Our" refers to something belonging to the speaker and the people they're talking with. Think of "we" as the group of people and "our" as what belongs to that group.

    • "We are going to the park." (Referring to you and the listener)
    • "This is our picnic blanket." (Referring to something belonging to you and the listener)

  • Contractions: "Our" is frequently contracted to "our."

    • Example: "Let’s go our way." (Let’s go our way – “Our” is being contracted to “our”)

  • Singular "Our": It’s becoming increasingly common, and generally accepted, to use "our" even when referring to a single person, especially when emphasizing a shared identity.

    • Example: "Our decision was final." (Meaning the decision made by us) – Formerly you might hear this phrased as “We decided…”

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Using "our" when you mean "we": Incorrect: "Our going to the movies." – Correct: "We are going to the movies."
  • Confusing "our" with "there": Incorrect: "Our there a problem?" – Correct: “There is a problem.”

To help me give you more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What context are you trying to use "our" in? (e.g., a specific sentence, a type of writing?)

Synonyms for the word our

Practice with vocabulary our

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. For us to achieve ______ long-term objectives, effective communication is crucial.
  2. The institution prides itself on ______ commitment to academic excellence.
  3. The board meticulously reviewed ______ proposal before granting approval.
  4. Could you please share ______ insights on this complex issue?

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. We are proud of ______ team's dedication and achievements this past year. a) us b) our c) ours d) ourselves

  2. The committee debated ______ next steps, ultimately deciding on a revised action plan. a) its b) their c) our d) the

  3. After extensive market research, we concluded that ______ current product line needs a strategic update. a) we b) our c) us d) ours

  4. Please confirm ______ attendance at the upcoming workshop by Friday. a) you're b) your c) yours d) you'd

  5. The company values ______ employees' contributions and fosters a collaborative environment. a) its b) it's c) their d) there

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Rewrite using "our" or related word forms: We are launching a new initiative to improve customer satisfaction.
  2. Rewrite using "our" or related word forms: The responsibility to protect the environment belongs to us as a community.
  3. Rewrite without using "our": The employees collaborated effectively on the recent project.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. For us to achieve our long-term objectives, effective communication is crucial.
  2. The institution prides itself on its commitment to academic excellence.
  3. The board meticulously reviewed our proposal before granting approval.
  4. Could you please share your insights on this complex issue?

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) our
  2. b) their, c) our
  3. b) our
  4. b) your
  5. a) its

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Our new initiative aims to improve customer satisfaction.
  2. Protecting our environment is our community's responsibility.
  3. Effective collaboration on the recent project was demonstrated by the employees.

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