on your own
/ɒn jɔːr oʊn/
Meaning
This phrase means to do something alone without any help from others, or to live independently. The possessive adjective changes depending on who you are talking about (e.g., 'on my own', 'on her own').
Examples
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She decided to travel around Europe on her own last summer.
She decided to travel around Europe on her own last summer.
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Did you assemble this entire bookshelf on your own?
Did you assemble this entire bookshelf on your own?
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I've been living on my own since I graduated from college.
I've been living on my own since I graduated from college.
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He managed to solve the complex math problem all on his own.
He managed to solve the complex math problem all on his own.
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You can't handle this big project on your own; you need a team.
You can't handle this big project on your own; you need a team.
Common Mistakes
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✗ I went to the cinema by my own.
✓ I went to the cinema on my own.
Do not mix 'by myself' and 'on my own'. Use either 'on [possessive] own' or 'by [reflexive pronoun]'.
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✗ He did the homework on his self.
✓ He did the homework on his own.
The phrase requires a possessive adjective (my, your, his, her, our, their) followed by 'own', not a reflexive pronoun.
Related Expressions
Practice
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I don't like going to restaurants ___; I prefer eating with friends.
💡 alone (first-person)
Show answer
on my own
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Can you manage the store ___ tomorrow, or do you need help?
💡 by yourself
Show answer
on your own