Use 'our' when you are part of the group that owns or experiences something.
Mot en 30 secondes
- Used to show possession by the speaker and others.
- Always followed by a noun in a sentence.
- Does not change form for singular or plural nouns.
Overview
'Our' is the first-person plural possessive determiner in English. It is used to express that an object, idea, or person belongs to a group that includes the speaker. Unlike 'my,' which is singular, 'our' requires a collective context.
Usage Patterns
'Our' is always followed by a noun or a noun phrase. It does not change form based on the gender or number of the noun it modifies. For example, we say 'our house' (singular) and 'our houses' (plural) without altering the word 'our'. It is a neutral term used across all levels of formality.
Common Contexts
It appears frequently in everyday conversation to describe shared living spaces ('our apartment'), family units ('our children'), or professional collaborations ('our project'). In institutional settings, it is often used to foster a sense of community or collective responsibility, such as 'our company' or 'our country'.
Similar Words: It is often compared to 'my' and 'their'. 'My' is strictly for the speaker alone, while 'their' refers to a group that does not include the speaker. 'Our' acts as the bridge between the speaker and the group, making it essential for teamwork and social cohesion. Unlike the pronoun 'ours,' which stands alone without a noun, 'our' must always be attached to a noun.
Exemples
This is our house.
everydayEsta es nuestra casa.
We appreciate our customers' feedback.
formalApreciamos los comentarios de nuestros clientes.
Let's go to our favorite spot.
informalVamos a nuestro lugar favorito.
Our research indicates significant growth.
academicNuestra investigación indica un crecimiento significativo.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
in our opinion
en nuestra opinión
our own
nuestro propio
Souvent confondu avec
Are is a verb (the plural of 'is'). 'Our' is a possessive determiner indicating ownership.
Ours is a possessive pronoun that stands alone without a following noun. 'Our' must be followed by a noun.
Modèles grammaticaux
How to Use It
Notes d'usage
Use 'our' to establish a collective identity. It is appropriate in both casual and professional settings. Always ensure the noun following it is clearly defined.
Erreurs courantes
The most common error is confusing 'our' with 'are' due to phonetic similarity. Another mistake is using 'our' without a noun, which is grammatically incorrect.
Tips
Pair with a noun every time
Remember that 'our' is a determiner, so it must always be followed by a noun. If there is no noun, use 'ours' instead.
Avoid confusing with 'are'
Although they sound similar in some accents, 'our' is for possession and 'are' is a form of the verb 'to be'. Never use them interchangeably.
Use for inclusive team building
Using 'our' in professional settings helps create a sense of unity and shared goals. It is a powerful tool for collaboration.
Origine du mot
Derived from the Old English 'ure', which is the genitive case of the first-person plural pronoun. It has remained a core part of Germanic language roots for centuries.
Contexte culturel
In English-speaking cultures, using 'our' is a subtle way to build rapport. It shifts focus from the individual to the collective, which is highly valued in team-based environments.
Astuce mémo
Think of 'our' as 'O-U-R' (Only Us Really). This helps remember it refers to a group that includes the speaker.
Questions fréquentes
3 questionsNo, 'our' is a determiner that must come before a noun. 'Ours' is a possessive pronoun that replaces the noun entirely.
No, 'our' remains the same regardless of whether the following noun is singular or plural. For example, we say 'our car' and 'our cars'.
Generally no, as it implies a group including the speaker. However, it is sometimes used in the 'royal we' or by doctors speaking to patients to sound more collaborative.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct possessive.
We bought a new car; this is ___ new car.
Since 'we' bought the car, the possessive must include the speaker and others.
🎉 Score : /1
Summary
Use 'our' when you are part of the group that owns or experiences something.
- Used to show possession by the speaker and others.
- Always followed by a noun in a sentence.
- Does not change form for singular or plural nouns.
Pair with a noun every time
Remember that 'our' is a determiner, so it must always be followed by a noun. If there is no noun, use 'ours' instead.
Avoid confusing with 'are'
Although they sound similar in some accents, 'our' is for possession and 'are' is a form of the verb 'to be'. Never use them interchangeably.
Use for inclusive team building
Using 'our' in professional settings helps create a sense of unity and shared goals. It is a powerful tool for collaboration.
Exemples
4 sur 4This is our house.
Esta es nuestra casa.
We appreciate our customers' feedback.
Apreciamos los comentarios de nuestros clientes.
Let's go to our favorite spot.
Vamos a nuestro lugar favorito.
Our research indicates significant growth.
Nuestra investigación indica un crecimiento significativo.
Related Content
Apprendre en contexte
Expressions liées
Vocabulaire associé
Plus de mots sur general
about
A1'About' signifie 'à propos de' quand on parle d'un sujet, ou 'environ' pour une quantité.
above
A2Indique une position plus haute que quelque chose d'autre, juste au-dessus.
accident
A2Un événement imprévu qui cause du tort ou des blessures.
action
A2C'est le fait de faire quelque chose pour atteindre un but.
after
A2'After' veut dire 'après', quelque chose qui arrive plus tard dans le temps ou dans l'espace.
afterward
A2At a later or subsequent time.
again
A2'Again' veut dire 'encore', que quelque chose se produit une deuxième fois ou plus.
aged
B1Cela précise l'âge d'une personne ou d'un objet.
alive
A2Quelque chose qui est en vie, qui n'est pas mort.
all
A2'All' désigne la totalité de quelque chose, chaque élément sans exception.
