Us vs. Our — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 8, 2024
"Us" is a pronoun used to refer to the speaker and one or more others, while "our" is a possessive adjective indicating that something belongs to the speaker and at least one other person.
Difference Between Us and Our
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Us" is used as an object pronoun in sentences, referring to the speaker and their group as the recipient of an action or the object of a preposition. For example, in "She gave us a gift," "us" receives the action of being given a gift. On the other hand, "our" modifies nouns to indicate possession or relation, showing that something belongs to or is related to the speaker and their group, as in "Our house is big," where "our" indicates that the house belongs to the speaker and their group.
The use of "us" highlights the involvement or inclusion of the speaker and their group in an action or situation, often emphasizing participation or impact, such as in "Join us for dinner." Whereas "our" emphasizes ownership, belonging, or association with a group, like in "Our project was successful," stressing the collective possession or achievement.
"Us" cannot modify a noun directly because it functions as an object or indirect object in a sentence. For instance, "The teacher taught us" correctly uses "us" to show whom the teacher taught. Conversely, "our" specifically modifies nouns, adding a layer of possession or association, such as in "Our teacher is great," where "our" modifies "teacher" to show a relationship of belonging.
In terms of grammatical structure, "us" often appears after verbs or prepositions. For example, "The secret belongs to us," demonstrates "us" following the preposition "to." "Our," however, appears before a noun to modify it, as in "Our friends are here," where "our" precedes and modifies "friends."
While "us" and "our" both refer to a group that includes the speaker, they serve different grammatical functions and cannot be used interchangeably. Understanding their correct usage is crucial for clear and effective communication, reflecting the distinction between acting as recipients or objects of action ("us") and expressing possession or relation ("our").
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Comparison Chart
Function
Object pronoun
Possessive adjective
Grammatical Role
Used as an object of a verb or preposition
Modifies a noun to indicate possession or association
Example
"She invited us to the party."
"Our invitation was unexpected."
Emphasis
Inclusion or involvement of the speaker and their group
Ownership, belonging, or association with the speaker's group
Position in Sentence
Typically follows verbs or prepositions
Precedes and modifies nouns
Compare with Definitions
Us
Inclusion in Group.
Join us for the celebration.
Our
Indicates Ownership.
Our house needs some repairs.
Us
Indirect Object.
Our teacher taught us French.
Our
Possessive Adjective.
Our team won the championship.
Us
Object Pronoun.
They saw us at the concert.
Our
Collective Possession.
Our success is shared by the whole community.
Us
Recipient of Action.
The award was given to us for our hard work.
Our
Group Association.
Our project is due next week.
Us
After Prepositions.
The secret is safe with us.
Our
Before Nouns.
Our friends are coming over tonight.
Us
Used by a speaker to refer to himself or herself and one or more other people as the object of a verb or preposition
Both of us
We asked him to come with us
Let us know
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
Us
Me
Give us a kiss
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
Us
(personal) Me and at least one other person; the objective case of we.
Our
Used with a name to refer to a relative, friend, or colleague of the speaker
Really, she is a one, our Gillian
Us
Me.
Give us a look at your paper.
Give us your wallet!
She's turned the weans against us!
Our
Used as a modifier before a noun
Our accomplishments.
Our hometown.
Us
(Northern England) Our.
We'll have to throw us food out.
Our
Belonging to us.
Us
(Geordie) Me (in all contexts).
Look at us while you’re speaking to us.
Could you do that for us?
Our
Of, from, or belonging to the nation, region, or language of the speaker.
Us
The speakers/writers, or the speaker/writer and at least one other person.
It's not good enough for us teachers.
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.
Us
(rare) u's.
Our
Misspelling of are
Us
The persons speaking, regarded as an object; ourselves; - the objective case of we. See We.
Give us this day our daily bread.
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.
Us
48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
Common Curiosities
Can "our" be used without a noun following it?
No, "our" must directly modify a noun and cannot stand alone without implying a noun that is understood from context.
Can "our" imply ownership over people?
Yes, in a sense of belonging or association, e.g., "Our team."
Is "us" ever used at the beginning of a sentence?
Rarely in formal writing, but it can occur in questions or informal speech, e.g., "Us too?"
What's a common mistake when using "us" and "our"?
Confusing "us" as a possessive form. Remember, "us" is always an object, while "our" indicates possession.
Do "us" and "our" always include the speaker?
Yes, both pronouns include the speaker in the reference group.
How does the use of "us" and "our" affect tone?
"Us" can create a sense of camaraderie or collectivity, while "our" can emphasize shared ownership or association.
Is it correct to use "us" after "is"?
Generally, no. "Us" is an object pronoun, and "is" typically requires a subject complement rather than an object pronoun.
Can "our" be used to emphasize a personal connection to something?
Yes, using "our" can emphasize a personal or emotional connection to the noun it modifies.
When should I use "us"?
Use "us" when referring to yourself and others as the object of a verb or preposition.
How can I decide whether to use "us" or "our" in a sentence?
Determine if you need an object pronoun ("us") or a possessive adjective ("our") based on the sentence's structure and meaning.
What are some synonyms for "us" and "our"?
For "us": we (when rearranging a sentence); for "our": belonging to us, of ours.
Can "our" be used to refer to possessions shared with people not present?
Yes, "our" can refer to any group the speaker considers themselves a part of, whether or not all members are present.
How do plurals affect the use of "us" and "our"?
Plurality doesn't change the use; "our" always modifies plural nouns or implies a plural noun, and "us" always refers to a plural group including the speaker.
What is the difference between "our" and "ours"?
"Our" modifies a noun directly and cannot stand alone, while "ours" is a possessive pronoun that stands in place of a noun and the word "our."
In a professional context, how should "us" and "our" be used?
Use "us" when discussing the group as part of an action or decision, and "our" to refer to shared resources, goals, or responsibilities.
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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.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
