What is ours? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of ours

ourspronoun

/ˈaʊəz//ɑːz/
Definition & pronunciation of ours

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "ours" in English. It's a tricky one for some learners! Here's a breakdown:

The Basic Pronunciation:

  • Sounds: /aʊr/ (rhymes with "cow" or "how")

Here's a more detailed explanation, broken down by part:

  1. "O" (as in "own"): Say "oh" – like the vowel in the word "own."

  2. "U" (as in "but"): This is the tricky part! The "u" in "ours" is a diphthong, meaning it's a combined vowel sound. It’s similar to the "oo" in "moon" but shorter and more relaxed. Think of a quick, almost subtle glide from "oh" to a slightly higher "uh" sound. It’s not a clear "uh" sound like in “but.”

  3. “R”: This is a r-colored 'r'. This means the "r" sound is present, but it's not a strong, rolled "r" like you’d hear in Spanish or Italian. Instead, it’s attached to the "o" and the "u," creating a softer sound. Try to let the "r" blend into the other sounds. It’s almost like a very short, quick "er" sound.

Putting it all together:

Imagine saying "oh-oo-er" very quickly and smoothly, blending the sounds together. It flows into one syllable.

Tips and Tricks:

  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is by hearing it! Here are some resources:

    • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce 'ours' English" on YouTube. You’ll find many videos with native speakers pronouncing the word.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/ours/ – This website lets you hear the pronunciation from native speakers around the world.

  • Mimic Native Speakers: Pay close attention to how a native speaker forms their mouth and tongue when saying the word. Try to copy their movements.

  • Record Yourself: Record yourself saying “ours” and compare it to a native speaker's pronunciation.

  • Practice Slowly: Don’t rush! Focus on getting the sounds right, even if it feels a little awkward at first.

To help me give you even more specific advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you a beginner learner, or do you have some experience with English pronunciation?

Usage and examples with the word ours in English

The word "ours" is a contraction of "our" and is a possessive pronoun. It shows ownership, but it’s used in a pretty specific way – it's always referring to something the speaker and the listener have in common. Here's a breakdown of how to use it:

1. Contraction of "Our":

  • "Ours" is simply a shorter way to say "our." It's common in informal speech and writing.

2. Referring to a Shared Possesion:

  • Key Rule: "Ours" is ONLY used when both the speaker and the listener share ownership or connection to something. It’s not used when talking about something belonging to just one person.

    • Example: “This house is ours.” (The speaker and the listener both own the house – perhaps they bought it together, or they live in it together.)
    • Incorrect Use: “This house is ours.” (This is incorrect if only you own the house.)

3. Examples in Sentences:

  • Positive Usage:

    • "That car is ours; we bought it last year." (You and the listener both bought the car.)
    • "These cookies are ours; we made them together." (You and the listener made the cookies.)
    • "This team is ours; we’ve worked hard to win." (You and the listener are part of the team.)
    • "The responsibility for this project is ours." (You and the listener are responsible for the project)

  • Negative Usage (illustrating the rule):

    • “This book is ours.” (Incorrect! You’re implying you and the listener both own the book, which is unlikely.)
    • “These tickets are ours.” (Incorrect! Only you have the tickets.)

4. Important Considerations:

  • Informality: "Ours" is much more common in casual conversation and informal writing (emails, texts, chat). It’s less common in formal writing or speeches.

  • Context is Crucial: The meaning of “ours” depends entirely on the context. It's about shared ownership.

  • Alternatives: If you want to be more formal or avoid ambiguity, you can always use "our" instead of “ours.” For example, “This house is our house” is perfectly acceptable and clearer.

Let’s test your understanding:

Which sentence correctly uses “ours”?

a) “The victory is ours!” b) “The fun is ours.” c) “The problem is ours.”

Answer: a) “The victory is ours!” (This implies you and the listener both won the victory – a shared achievement.)

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Explain a specific scenario where "ours" might be used?
  • Practice using "ours" in sentences?

Synonyms for the word ours

Practice with vocabulary ours

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. After carefully reviewing both proposals, we concluded that the innovative approach described in __________ was more aligned with the company's long-term vision.
  2. The management team has decided to postpone __________ annual meeting until next quarter to ensure all stakeholders can attend.
  3. They delivered their part of the presentation with confidence, and now it's time for __________ to share our findings.
  4. Could you please hand the confidential client report over to __________ when you're finished reviewing it?

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of these strategic objectives is exclusively __________ for the upcoming fiscal year? a) our b) ours c) for us d) to us

  2. Their recent market analysis presented compelling data, but we believe __________ delved deeper into the potential risks. a) our b) ours c) us d) we

  3. The company car is reserved for executive use, but the new electric bicycle fleet is available to all employees, making it truly __________. a) our b) us c) ours d) for us

  4. Despite the unexpected challenges, __________ team consistently delivers high-quality results ahead of schedule. a) we b) us c) our d) ours

  5. The CEO specifically requested that the financial projections be shared with __________ immediately for review. a) we b) our c) ours d) us

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. This innovative new product concept belongs to us; it's our original intellectual property.

    • Rewrite: This innovative new product concept is __________; it's our original intellectual property.

  2. They submitted their departmental budget report yesterday, and we are planning to submit our departmental budget report by the end of the week.

    • Rewrite: They submitted their departmental budget report yesterday, and we are planning to submit __________ by the end of the week.

  3. The responsibility for leading this crucial project falls solely on us.

    • Rewrite: The responsibility for leading this crucial project is __________.

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. ours
  2. our
  3. us
  4. us

Exercise 2:

  1. b) ours
  2. b) ours
  3. c) ours
  4. c) our
  5. d) us

Exercise 3:

  1. This innovative new product concept is ours; it's our original intellectual property.
  2. They submitted their departmental budget report yesterday, and we are planning to submit ours by the end of the week.
  3. The responsibility for leading this crucial project is our sole duty. (Alternative: our main task, our primary concern, our responsibility)

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