Our vs. We — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 3, 2024
"Our" is a possessive pronoun indicating ownership by the speaker and others, while "we" is a subject pronoun referring to the speaker and at least one other person.
Difference Between Our and We
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Our" denotes possession or relation to a group that includes the speaker, emphasizing a sense of belonging or ownership over something. For example, in "Our team won the match," "our" indicates that the team belongs to the speaker and others. On the other hand, "we" is used to identify a group of people that includes the speaker, primarily as the subject of a sentence. In "We are going to the park," "we" refers to the speaker plus one or more individuals participating in the action.
Usage of "our" necessitates the presence of an object that is owned or associated with the group, such as "our house" or "our project," pointing to something specific that the group possesses or is connected with. Meanwhile, "we" does not inherently imply ownership but rather participation or presence, such as in "We think it's a good idea," where it expresses a collective opinion or action without specifying a possession.
In terms of grammar, "our" modifies nouns directly, serving as a determiner to specify which particular item or concept is being referred to in relation to the group. This contrasts with "we," which functions as a pronoun that replaces the subject of the sentence, who are performing the action or are in a certain state.
"Our" and "we" together often indicate inclusivity and collective action or ownership, as in "We made our decision." Here, "we" specifies who made the decision, while "our" indicates that the decision belongs to the group, highlighting how these pronouns can work in tandem to convey a sense of unity and shared identity.
While "our" can suggest a closer, more personal connection to the noun it modifies due to its possessive nature, "we" establishes a group's collective presence or action, making both pronouns essential for expressing different facets of group identity and dynamics.
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Comparison Chart
Pronoun Type
Possessive Pronoun
Subject Pronoun
Function
Indicates ownership or relation
Refers to the speaker and one or more others
Grammatical Role
Modifies nouns, serving as a determiner
Serves as the subject of a sentence
Implication
Ownership or association with a group
Participation or presence of a group
Usage
Requires a following noun (e.g., our home)
Does not require a following noun
Compare with Definitions
Our
Used before nouns to denote possession.
Our project won the award.
We
Used in statements about groups including the speaker.
We need to decide soon.
Our
Indicates something belongs to us.
Our team is the best.
We
Implies collective action or state.
We believe in fairness and justice.
Our
Shows relation or association.
Our meeting is scheduled for tomorrow.
We
Acts as the subject in sentences.
We won the game yesterday.
Our
Expresses a collective relationship.
Our family goes on a trip every year.
We
Refers to the speaker and others.
We are planning a party.
Our
Reflects a shared property or quality.
Our interests are very similar.
We
Can signify an inclusive group identity.
We are all in this together.
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
We
In Modern English, we is a plural, first-person pronoun.
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
We
(personal) The speakers/writers, or the speaker/writer and at least one other person (not the person being addressed). This is the exclusive we.
Our
Used with a name to refer to a relative, friend, or colleague of the speaker
Really, she is a one, our Gillian
We
(personal) The speaker(s)/writer(s) and the person(s) being addressed. This is the inclusive we.
Our
Used as a modifier before a noun
Our accomplishments.
Our hometown.
We
(personal) The institution upon which the speaker/writer is acting. This is the editorial we, used by writers and others when speaking with the authority of their publication or organisation.
Our
Belonging to us.
We
The sovereign alone in their capacity as monarch. This is the royal we. The reflexive case of this sense of we is ourself.
Our
Of, from, or belonging to the nation, region, or language of the speaker.
We
(personal) The plural form of you, including everyone being addressed.
How are we all tonight?
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.
We
(proscribed) The speaker or writer, used to imply connection between the speaker's experiences and a group of listeners.
Hey guys, how's it going? Today we are going to be playing a new game.
Our
Misspelling of are
We
(Tyneside) Us.
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.
We
The speakers/writers, or the speaker/writer and at least one other person.
We Canadians like to think of ourselves as different.
We
The plural nominative case of the pronoun of the first person; the word with which a person in speaking or writing denotes a number or company of which he is one, as the subject of an action expressed by a verb.
Common Curiosities
Can "our" refer to things that are not tangible?
Yes, "our" can refer to intangible things, such as "our hopes" or "our agreement."
Does "we" imply a specific number of people?
No, "we" can refer to any number of people, as long as it includes the speaker and at least one other person.
When should I use "our" instead of "we"?
Use "our" when indicating possession or relation to something that belongs to or is associated with you and others.
How does "we" affect the tone of a statement?
"We" can create a sense of inclusivity and collective action or presence, making it feel more communal.
What's the difference between "our" and "ours"?
"Our" modifies a noun directly and requires one to follow it, while "ours" can stand alone or follow a noun as a possessive pronoun indicating something belongs to us, without directly modifying the noun.
Is "our" only used for physical possessions?
No, "our" can also indicate non-physical associations, such as "our dreams" or "our goals."
Can "we" be used to refer to a general group, like humanity?
Yes, "we" can be used broadly to refer to larger groups or humanity as a whole, such as in "We must protect our planet."
Can "we" and "our" be used in the same sentence?
Yes, they often are, to indicate both the action and possession of a group, e.g., "We are proud of our achievements."
Is "our" considered more formal or informal?
"Our" is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the sentence.
Does using "we" always mean the speaker is included?
Yes, "we" always includes the speaker and one or more other people.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
