Use 'owns' when a single person or entity legally possesses a specific item or property.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means to legally possess something.
- Used with he, she, or it.
- Implies stronger rights than 'has'.
Overview
The word owns is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb 'own'. It is used when describing that a specific person (he, she) or entity (it, a company) possesses something. While 'have' is a general term for possession, 'owns' implies a stronger, often legal, claim to the item. It answers the question, 'Who does this belong to?'
Usage Patterns
Owns is exclusively used with singular subjects in the present tense (e.g., 'He owns,' 'She owns,' 'The company owns'). It is rarely used in the continuous form (we don't usually say 'He is owning a car'); instead, simple tenses are preferred. It can be transitive, followed directly by the object being possessed.
**Property and Assets**
This is the most common use, referring to houses, cars, land, or businesses (e.g., 'She owns a bakery').
**Intellectual Property**
Used for copyrights or ideas (e.g., 'The studio owns the rights to the movie').
**Admitting Fault (Phrasal Verb)**
In the phrase 'owns up', it means to confess or admit to a mistake (e.g., 'He owns up to his errors').
**Dominance (Slang)**
In gaming or sports, saying someone 'owns' another player or team means they are defeating them easily.
Examples
He owns a beautiful cottage near the lake.
everydayHe possesses a beautiful cottage near the lake.
The bank owns the title until the mortgage is paid off.
businessThe bank holds the legal title until the debt is cleared.
She owns up to her mistakes immediately.
informalShe admits her mistakes immediately.
Who owns this backpack left in the hall?
everydayWho does this backpack belong to?
The corporation owns several subsidiaries across Europe.
businessThe corporation possesses several smaller companies across Europe.
That player absolutely owns the field today.
slangThat player is dominating the game today.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
owns the place
acts as if they have total authority (often negative)
Often Confused With
'Owes' (with an 'e') means you need to pay money back. 'Owns' (with an 'n') means you possess something.
'Has' is very general. 'Owns' specifically emphasizes legal or permanent possession.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Use 'owns' primarily for material possessions, land, businesses, and legal rights. While you can 'have' a cold or 'have' a brother, you generally do not 'own' them.
Common Mistakes
Learners often say 'He owns to a car' (incorrect preposition) or confuse it with 'owe' (e.g., 'He owns me money' is incorrect; it should be 'He owes me money').
Tips
Stative Verb Rule
Remember that 'own' describes a state, not an action. Avoid using -ing forms like 'owning' in simple sentences.
Don't Confuse with 'Owes'
Be careful not to mix up 'owns' (possesses) with 'owes' (needs to pay money). One letter changes the meaning entirely.
Home Ownership
In many English-speaking countries, saying someone 'owns their home' is a significant status marker, distinguishing them from renters.
Word Origin
From Old English 'agnian' (to possess), related to 'agan' (to have/take).
Cultural Context
In capitalist societies, what one 'owns' is often seen as a reflection of success or status, leading to idioms like 'keeping up with the Joneses'.
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'OWNer'. If you are the OWNer, you OWN it. The 'N' stands for 'Now mine'.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions'Has' is general possession (e.g., 'She has a pen' - she might just be holding it). 'Owns' implies legal property rights (e.g., 'She owns the building').
No, 'own' is a stative verb and is rarely used in continuous tenses. Use 'He owns a car' instead.
Not always. You can own a pet, a small book, or even an idea. However, it is often associated with property.
It is a phrasal verb meaning to admit that you have done something wrong, like confessing to a mistake.
'Owns' is neutral and can be used in both formal legal documents and casual conversation.
Yes, legal entities like corporations are treated as singular subjects, so we say 'The company owns the patent'.
There isn't a direct single-word opposite, but 'rents', 'borrows', or 'lacks' can function as opposites depending on context.
It rhymes with 'bones' or 'phones'. The 's' is pronounced like a 'z'.
Test Yourself
My uncle ___ a large farm in the countryside.
We need the third-person singular verb 'owns' to match the subject 'My uncle'. 'Owes' means to be in debt.
What does 'owns' mean here?
'Owns' indicates legal possession or proprietorship of the business.
Standard English word order: Subject (She) + Verb (owns) + Object (a red bicycle).
Score: /3
Summary
Use 'owns' when a single person or entity legally possesses a specific item or property.
- Means to legally possess something.
- Used with he, she, or it.
- Implies stronger rights than 'has'.
Stative Verb Rule
Remember that 'own' describes a state, not an action. Avoid using -ing forms like 'owning' in simple sentences.
Don't Confuse with 'Owes'
Be careful not to mix up 'owns' (possesses) with 'owes' (needs to pay money). One letter changes the meaning entirely.
Home Ownership
In many English-speaking countries, saying someone 'owns their home' is a significant status marker, distinguishing them from renters.
Examples
6 of 6He owns a beautiful cottage near the lake.
He possesses a beautiful cottage near the lake.
The bank owns the title until the mortgage is paid off.
The bank holds the legal title until the debt is cleared.
She owns up to her mistakes immediately.
She admits her mistakes immediately.
Who owns this backpack left in the hall?
Who does this backpack belong to?
The corporation owns several subsidiaries across Europe.
The corporation possesses several smaller companies across Europe.
That player absolutely owns the field today.
That player is dominating the game today.
Related Content
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
To have or own something, or to have a particular quality or...
maintainTo keep something in a good condition by checking or repairi...
controlControl refers to the power or ability to direct, manage, or...
keepTo continue to have or hold something in your possession or...
holdTo grasp or carry something using your hands or arms. It can...
haveTo possess, own, or hold.
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