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own

After possessives​

We only use own after a possessive word. It cannot directly follow an article.

  • It’s nice if a child can have his or her own room. (not … an own room.)
  • Car rental is expensive. It’s cheaper to take one’s own car. (not … the own car.)
  • I’m my own boss.

a/some … of one’s own​

This structure makes it possible to include a/an, some or another determiner in the phrase.

  • I’d like to have a car of my own.
  • It’s time you found some friends of your own.
  • He’s got no ideas of his own.

own with no following noun​

We cannot use mine, yours, etc with own, but we can drop a noun after my own, your own, etc if the meaning is clear.

  • ‘Would you like to use my pen?’ ‘No, thanks. I can only write with my own.’ (not … mine own.)

own and -self​

The emphatic and reflexive pronouns myself, yourself, etc (see here) do not have possessive forms. My own, etc is used instead.

  • I’ll do it myself, and I’ll do it in my own way. (not … in myself’s way.)
  • She can wash herself and brush her own hair now. (not … brush herself’s hair.)

on one’s own​

Note the two meanings of on one’s own.

  • My mother lives on her own. (without company)
  • Don’t help him. Let him do it on his own. (without help)
note

For by oneself used in similar ways, (see here).