Our vs. Ours — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on February 28, 2024
"Our" is a possessive adjective used to indicate ownership or relation, typically before a noun (e.g., our house). "Ours" is a possessive pronoun that stands in for a noun and indicates ownership (e.g., the house is ours).
Difference Between Our and Ours
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Our" modifies a noun directly, showing that something belongs to or is related to the group including the speaker, e.g., "Our team won the match." It always precedes a noun, making it clear what is being referred to. "Ours," on the other hand, replaces the noun, eliminating the need to repeat it, e.g., "The victory is ours." This usage is especially useful in sentences where the noun is already understood, making communication more efficient.
"Our" requires the presence of another noun to complete its meaning, e.g., "our home," whereas "ours" is self-sufficient and does not require a noun to follow, e.g., "The home is ours."
The choice between "our" and "ours" can also impact the formality and flow of speech or writing. "Our" is often used in more formal or structured contexts, while "ours" can create a more casual or emphatic tone.
Despite their differences, both "our" and "ours" serve to create a sense of collective ownership or association, emphasizing a connection among the speaker, the audience, and the item or concept being discussed.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Possessive Adjective
Possessive Pronoun
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Usage
Before a noun
Standalone, replacing a noun
Example
"Our book is on the table."
"The book on the table is ours."
Requirement
Requires a noun to follow
Does not require a noun to follow
Function
Modifies a noun directly
Indicates ownership without repeating the noun
Compare with Definitions
Our
Implies involvement or possession by a group including the speaker.
Our favorite restaurant is closed.
Ours
A pronoun indicating something belongs to us.
This victory is ours.
Our
Reflects collective ownership or participation.
Our efforts paid off.
Ours
Used to express possession without naming the item.
Is this seat ours?
Our
Indicates belonging to us.
Our garden is blooming.
Ours
Signifies that an object or concept is related to the speaker’s group.
The decision is ours to make.
Our
Shows a relationship to a group that includes the speaker.
Our project was a success.
Ours
Reflects a personal or group claim.
This plan is ours alone.
Our
Used to specify a particular item associated with us.
Our meeting starts at 10.
Ours
Can be used for emphasis on ownership.
The final say is ours.
Our
Used as a modifier before a noun
Our accomplishments.
Our hometown.
Ours
That which belongs to us; the possessive case of we, used without a following noun.
Our
Belonging to us.
Our
Used before a person's name to indicate that the person is in one's family, or is a very close friend.
I'm going to see our Terry for tea.
Our
Belonging to or associated with the speaker and one or more other people previously mentioned or easily identified
Jo and I had our hair cut
Our
Used in formal contexts by a royal person or a writer or editor to refer to something belonging to or associated with himself or herself
We want to know what you, our readers, think
Our
Used with a name to refer to a relative, friend, or colleague of the speaker
Really, she is a one, our Gillian
Our
Of or pertaining to us; belonging to us; as, our country; our rights; our troops; our endeavors. See I.
The Lord is our defense.
Our wills are ours, we know not how.
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference between "our" and "ours"?
"Our" is a possessive adjective that modifies a noun, while "ours" is a possessive pronoun that replaces a noun.
Is "ours" always used at the end of a sentence?
Not always, but it often appears at the end or as a standalone response.
How do I decide whether to use "our" or "ours"?
Use "our" before a noun to indicate ownership and "ours" when the noun is implied or already mentioned.
Can "our" indicate possession by two people?
Yes, "our" can indicate possession by any group size, including two people.
Is "ours" only used for physical objects?
No, "ours" can refer to both tangible and intangible items or concepts.
Can "our" and "ours" be used interchangeably?
No, they serve different grammatical functions and cannot be used interchangeably.
Can "our" be used without a following noun?
No, "our" always precedes and modifies a noun.
Can "ours" start a sentence?
Yes, "ours" can start a sentence, especially in answers or statements of ownership.
Do "our" and "ours" imply the same level of ownership?
Yes, both indicate collective ownership or relation to a group that includes the speaker.
How does the use of "our" or "ours" affect the tone of a sentence?
"Our" can be more formal or structured, while "ours" might be more casual or emphatic.
Is it grammatically correct to say "This is ours book"?
No, the correct form is "This is our book" or "This book is ours."
How do "our" and "ours" reflect collective identity?
Both terms emphasize a sense of belonging and shared ownership among a group.
Are there any exceptions to the use of "our" and "ours"?
The main rules for their use are consistent, focusing on whether a noun is directly modified or ownership is implied.
Can "our" be used to denote something belonging to humanity at large?
Yes, "our" can be used broadly to indicate something belonging to all humans, e.g., "our planet."
Is there a plural form of "ours"?
No, "ours" already implies ownership by multiple people and does not change form.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
