Let Sam teach you the difference between ‘my own’ vs ‘on my own’ in this English In A Minute.
Sam
My own and on my own – what difference does the little preposition on make? Quite a lot! Let’s look together.
My own or your own after a verb means that we do something to or for ourselves instead of somebody else doing it to or for us.
I like the idea of growing my own vegetables.
Have you ever cut your own hair?
Obviously, you can change my or your for any other possessive adjective.
My own or on your own means exactly the same as alone.
I don’t think I could live on my own.
Have you ever been on holiday on your own?
Again, you can change my or your for any other possessive adjective.
In these cases, you could also say by myself or by yourself using the reflexive pronoun with exactly the same meaning!
Have you ever cut your own hair?
My own vs on my own
My own or your own after a verb means that we do something to or for ourselves.
- I make my own dinner everyday.
- Can you make your own decision, please?
On my own or on your own means exactly the same as alone.
- I think she likes spending time on her own.
- He lives on his own.
By myself or by yourself has a similar meaning to on my own or on your own.
- I think she likes spending time by herself.
- He lives by himself.