It's mine vs That's mine
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
It's mine
Top 2,000 (common)
That's mine
Top 2,000 (common)
| It's mine | That's mine | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪts maɪn//🇺🇸 //ɪts maɪn// | 🇬🇧 //ðæts maɪn//🇺🇸 //ðæts maɪn// |
| Meaning | This thing belongs to me. | It belongs to me. |
| Example | Look at this amazing book, it's mine! | When I saw the backpack, I quickly said, 'That's mine!' |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | it's definitely mine, don't touch, it's mine, yes, it's mine | claim that's mine, say that's mine, know that's mine |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'it's your' - remember 'mine' shows ownership for oneself., Using inappropriately in formal settings, e.g., during presentations. | Omitting the subject (saying 'mine' alone can be unclear)., Using it inappropriately in formal contexts., Mispronouncing the phrase, making it sound less confident. |
| Usage notes | Use when indicating ownership. Avoid in formal writing; better suited for conversations. | Use this phrase to assert ownership. It's appropriate in casual conversations, but may sound confrontational in formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: It's mine vs That's mine
What's the difference between It's mine and That's mine?
It's mine: This thing belongs to me. That's mine: It belongs to me.
Can you show an example of each?
It's mine: Look at this amazing book, it's mine! That's mine: When I saw the backpack, I quickly said, 'That's mine!'
Can I use It's mine and That's mine interchangeably?
Not always. It's mine and That's mine are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.