Representing being and having
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Using have and other possession verbs | page 6 of 9 |
Using own
The verb own is used to talk about things that are someone's property:
If you are a tenant, your landlord, the council or housing association should arrange for any necessary repairs. If you own your home, you will have to arrange this for yourself. (Bank of English)
Most German workers own shares in their companies. (Bank of English)
The more general verb have can be used as an alternative to own where the context makes the meaning clear:
If you have company shares which you would like to donate to Oxfam, we can sell them to help the poorest people in the world. (Bank of English)
Unlike other possession verbs such as have, possess and lack, own may be used in passive voice:
Hong Kong Telecom is owned 57.5 per cent by Cable & Wireless and is the group's most valuable investment. (Bank of English)
For further information about passive voice and possession verbs, see 
Using passive voice: Passive voice with possession verbs.
Using own
