What is own? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of own

ownadjective/verb

/əʊn/
Definition & pronunciation of own

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "own" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners!

Here's the standard pronunciation, and then we'll look at some common variations:

Standard Pronunciation (American & British):

  • Sounds: /ˈaʊn/ (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet)
  • Breakdown:
    • "a": Like the "a" in "father" or "cat". Short and clear.
    • "w": This is the key! It's pronounced like "oo" as in "moon" or "blue." It's NOT a hard "w" sound like in "water." It's a relaxed, almost humming "w". Think of it as a glide.
    • "n": A standard "n" sound.

Putting it together: "AH-n" (with that relaxed, gliding "w" sound)

Common Variations & What Not To Do:

  • Don't say "ohn": This is the most common mistake. It's simply not how it's pronounced.
  • Don't force a hard "w": Resist the urge to make the "w" sound like in "window." It will sound wrong.
  • Regional variations: In some areas of the UK (particularly Scotland), it might be closer to /ˈoʊn/ (with a longer "o" sound) but that’s less common.

Tips for Practicing:

  1. Listen to Native Speakers: The best way to learn is to hear it. Search for "how to pronounce own" on YouTube and listen to several different speakers. Pay close attention to the "w" sound.
  2. Exaggerate the "w": When you first start, exaggerate the "oo" sound to really feel it.
  3. Say it slowly: Start by saying it slowly and deliberately, focusing on each sound.
  4. Record yourself: Record yourself saying “own” and then compare it to a native speaker’s pronunciation.

Resources:

  • YouGlish: https://youglish.com/ – Enter "own" and it will show you how it's pronounced in context from YouTube videos.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/ - A website with pronunciations recorded by native speakers.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, would you like me to:

  • Record an example pronunciation of "own"?
  • Give you some example sentences where you can practice saying "own"?

Usage and examples with the word own in English

Let's break down how to use the word "own" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word! It has several different meanings and functions. Here's a breakdown with examples:

1. Possession (Most Common)

  • Meaning: To have something; to possess it.
  • Structure: Own + Noun
  • Examples:
    • "I own a car." (I possess a car.)
    • "She owns a beautiful house." (She possesses a beautiful house.)
    • "Do you own that painting?" (Do you possess that painting?)
    • "The company owns several factories." (The company possesses several factories.)

2. To Possess – Reflexive Form ( “Own” + “self”)

  • Meaning: To have something for oneself; to possess something relating to oneself. This is less common than the first usage.
  • Structure: Own + Self
  • Examples:
    • “I own myself.” (I am in control of my own actions/destiny - a more figurative use)
    • "She owns her mistakes." (She acknowledges and accepts responsibility for her mistakes.)
    • "He owns his feelings." (He is honest and open about his emotions.)

3. To Admit / Take Responsibility (Often with "to")

  • Meaning: To confess to something; to admit that something is true.
  • Structure: Own + To + Verb (often followed by “that”)
  • Examples:
    • "I own that I was wrong." (I admit that I was wrong.)
    • “He owns to making a mistake.” (He admits to making a mistake.)
    • "She owns to having lied." (She admits to having lied.)

4. To Declare / Claim (Formal)

  • Meaning: To state or declare something as one’s own, often in a formal or official context.
  • Structure: Own + Noun/Phrase
  • Examples:
    • "The government owns the land.” (The government officially claims ownership of the land.)
    • "He owns the copyright to the book." (He officially claims the copyright.)

5. "Have one’s own" (Idiomatic)

  • Meaning: To have one’s own way; to be independent; to do things in one's own way.
  • Structure: "Have one's own" + Adjective/Noun
  • Examples:
    • "She always has her own way." (She’s always independent and gets what she wants.)
    • “He likes to do things his own own way.” (He likes to do things his own way - emphasizing independence.)
    • “She has her own opinion.” (She has her own perspective)

Key Points & Nuances:

  • Pronunciation: "Own" is pronounced /ˈaʊn/. (like ‘own’ in ‘gown’)

  • Context is Key: The meaning of "own" is usually clear from the context.

  • Alternatives: Sometimes, other words can be used instead of "own," depending on the precise meaning you want to convey:

    • Possess: (More formal for simple ownership)
    • Hold: (More legal or official ownership)
    • Claim: (To assert ownership)
    • Declare: (To announce ownership)

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

  • What are you trying to use "own" in? (e.g., writing a story, having a conversation, understanding a sentence you read?)
  • Can you give me an example sentence you’re struggling with?

Synonyms for the word own

Idioms of the word own

come into your/its own
to have the opportunity to show how good or useful you are or something is
  • When the traffic's this bad, a bicycle really comes into its own.
the devil looks after his own
(saying)bad people often seem to have good luck
    get your own back (on somebody)
    (informal)to do something to somebody in return for harm they have done to you; to get revenge
    • I'll get my own back on him one day, I swear!
    have a mind of your own
    (humorous)to have your own opinion and make your own decisions without being influenced by other people
    • She has a mind of her own and isn't afraid to say what she thinks.
    • My computer seems to have a mind of its own!
    hold your own (against somebody/something) (in something)
    to remain in a strong position when somebody is attacking you, competing with you, etc.
    • Business isn't good but we're managing to hold our own.
    • She can hold her own against anybody in an argument.
    • The patient is holding her own although she is still very sick.
    in your own right
    because of your personal qualifications or efforts, not because of your connection with somebody else
    • She sings with a rock band, but she's also a jazz musician in her own right.
    like, etc. the sound of your own voice
    (disapproving)to like talking a lot or too much, usually without wanting to listen to other people
    • She’s much too fond of the sound of her own voice.
    (all) on your own
    North American Englishalone; without anyone else
    • I'm all on my own today.
    • She lives on her own.
    without help
    • He did it on his own.

    Practice with vocabulary own

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. After years of working for various corporations, she decided to start her ______ consulting firm.
    2. Each department is expected to manage its ______ budget and report expenditures monthly.
    3. The valuable antique collection has been in the family's ______ for over a century.
    4. The team presented ______ findings at the conference, highlighting key insights from their research.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    Choose all correct answers for each question.

    1. Many people consider it a significant life achievement to fully ________ their home without a mortgage. (A) purchase (B) acquire (C) own (D) possess (E) manage

    2. While collaborating, it's essential for each team member to take ________ for their assigned tasks and deadlines. (A) authority (B) responsibility (C) leadership (D) command (E) accountability

    3. Employees are encouraged to form their ________ opinions on company policies, even if they differ from the consensus. (A) individual (B) group (C) own (D) personal (E) collective

    4. The intellectual ________ of the new software solution legally belongs to the development firm that created it. (A) assets (B) property (C) claims (D) rights (E) holdings

    5. He prefers to commute to work in his ________ car to avoid the crowded public transportation during peak hours. (A) private (B) public (C) own (D) company (E) personal

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    Rewrite the following sentences as instructed, maintaining their original meaning.

    1. Original: She meticulously prepared the entire proposal herself, without any external assistance. Rewrite (using "own" or a related word form):

    2. Original: The multinational corporation has developed a distinctive corporate culture that makes it unique. Rewrite (using "own" or a related word form):

    3. Original: The project manager has full possession of all the critical data for the financial audit. Rewrite (without using "own" or "possession"):

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. After years of working for various corporations, she decided to start her own consulting firm.
    2. Each department is expected to manage its own budget and report expenditures monthly.
    3. The valuable antique collection has been in the family's possession for over a century.
    4. The team presented its findings at the conference, highlighting key insights from their research.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. (A) purchase, (B) acquire, (C) own, (D) possess
    2. (B) responsibility, (E) accountability
    3. (A) individual, (C) own, (D) personal
    4. (B) property, (D) rights
    5. (A) private, (C) own, (E) personal

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Original: She meticulously prepared the entire proposal herself, without any external assistance. Rewrite (using "own" or a related word form): She meticulously prepared her own proposal, without any external assistance. (or: She meticulously prepared the entire proposal on her own, without any external assistance.)

    2. Original: The multinational corporation has developed a distinctive corporate culture that makes it unique. Rewrite (using "own" or a related word form): The multinational corporation has developed its own distinctive corporate culture that makes it unique.

    3. Original: The project manager has full possession of all the critical data for the financial audit. Rewrite (without using "own" or "possession"): The project manager holds all the critical data for the financial audit. (or: The project manager controls all the critical data for the financial audit.)

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