Are vs. Our: What’s the Difference?

Understanding the difference between “are” and “our” might seem simple, yet it’s one of the most common mix-ups in English writing. These two words sound nearly identical in many accents, especially in American English, which often leads to confusion. However, their meanings and uses couldn’t be more different.

If you’ve ever found yourself typing “our going to the park” instead of “are going to the park”—you’re not alone. English learners and even native speakers stumble over these tricky twins because they’re homophones—words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about “are” vs. “our”—from grammar rules and pronunciation tips to real-world examples, usage tables, and easy memory tricks to ensure you never confuse them again.

By the end of this post, you’ll understand:

• What each word means and how to use it correctly.
• Why they sound the same in speech.
• How to avoid common writing mistakes.
• The role of accent and pronunciation in causing confusion.
• Grammar rules and practice exercises to reinforce what you’ve learned.

Let’s dive in and clear up this common English mix-up once and for all.

What Does “Are” Mean?

The word “are” is a verb—specifically, the present tense form of the verb to be. It’s used with plural subjects or with the pronoun you, regardless of whether you’re addressing one person or many.

In short, “are” expresses a state of being, condition, or existence.

Examples of “Are” in Sentences

• You are my best friend.
• We are learning English together.
• They are late for the meeting.
• The lights are too bright in here.
• How are you today?

The word “are” acts as a linking verb when connecting the subject to additional information. It can also serve as a helping verb (also known as an auxiliary verb) in continuous tenses, such as “We are going” or “They are studying.”

Subject–Verb Agreement with “Are”

Here’s a simple table to show when to use “are” properly:

Notice that “are” never follows singular subjects like “he,” “she,” or “it.” In those cases, we use “is.”

For example:

• ✅ He is tired.
• ❌ He are tired.

What Does “Our” Mean?

The word “our” is not a verb—it’s a possessive adjective (or determiner). That means it shows ownership or belonging.

It refers to something that belongs to a group including the speaker. You always use “our” before a noun because it modifies that noun to show possession.

Examples of “Our” in Sentences

• Our dog loves playing fetch.
• This is our favorite song.
• Let’s clean our room before dinner.
• Our parents are visiting soon.
• We love spending time at our cottage.

The key idea: “our” shows ownership, while “are” describes a state or action.

Quick Grammar Tip

Never use “our” in place of “are.”
They might sound identical in speech, but in writing, using one instead of the other completely changes the meaning of a sentence.

For instance

• ❌ Our late to the meeting.
• ✅ Are late to the meeting.
• ❌ We are best friends. → ✅ Our best friends (correct only if you’re describing ownership, e.g., “Our best friends live next door.”)

Pronunciation: Why “Are” and “Our” Sound the Same

If you’re wondering why these two words are so confusing, here’s the reason: they’re homophones in many English accents.

In American English, “are” and “our” are pronounced almost identically—/ɑːr/.
In British English, however, “our” may sometimes be pronounced /aʊər/ (like “hour”), while “are” remains /ɑː/.

Phonetic Breakdown

In casual American speech, “our” often loses the /aʊ/ sound and merges into a simple “ar,” making it indistinguishable from “are.”

That’s why even native speakers sometimes write the wrong word without realizing it.

How to Differentiate Them When Speaking

• To emphasize “our”, slightly round your mouth, as if starting to say “hour.”
• For “are,” keep your lips relaxed and open—it’s shorter and flatter.

A quick trick: if you can replace the word with “belonging to us”, it’s “our.” If you can replace it with “to be”, it’s “are.”

Are vs. Our: Key Differences Table

Here’s a clear side-by-side comparison of these two commonly confused words:

This table makes it clear: “are” describes, while “our” owns.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Mixing up “are” and “our” can completely change your sentence’s meaning.

Here are some examples of common mix-ups—and how to fix them.

Tips to Avoid Confusion

1. Say the sentence out loud. Does it describe a state (use are) or ownership (use our)?
2. Check for a noun right after the word. If there is one, it’s probably our.
3. Remember the meaning:
   • “Are” = action or state (verb).
   • “Our” = belonging or ownership (possessive).
4. Mnemonic trick:
   • “Are” has an A for Action.
   • “Our” has an O for Ownership.

Quick Grammar Rules Recap

Here’s a short list of grammar rules to keep things clear:

• Use “are” with plural subjects: We are, They are, You are.
• Use “our” before a noun to show possession: our house, our plan, our future.
• Never interchange them, even if they sound the same.
• Re-read your sentence—does it show belonging or being?

Examples for Clarity

• We are excited about our vacation.
• You are reading our new blog post.
• They are visiting our hometown next week.

These examples combine both words naturally so you can see how they coexist in real sentences

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding! Fill in the blanks with either “are” or “our.”

1. ___ you coming to dinner tonight?
2. ___ dog loves chasing squirrels.
3. We ___ happy to help.
4. ___ house is on the corner.
5. They ___ leaving soon.
6. ___ teacher is very kind.
7. You ___ always welcome here.
8. ___ plans have changed.

Answer Key:

1. Are
2. Our
3. Are
4. Our
5. Are
6. Our
7. Are
8. Our

Practicing these kinds of exercises daily helps you build muscle memory and avoid mixing them up in your writing.

Why “Are vs. Our” Matters in Everyday English

Mixing up “are” and “our” might look minor, but in professional communication, it’s a noticeable grammar mistake. In emails, resumes, essays, or blog posts, using the wrong word can make writing appear careless.

For example:

• Our late for the meeting sounds confusing.
• Are late for the meeting makes grammatical sense only when part of a complete sentence like “We are late for the meeting.”

Real-World Example

Consider this line from a workplace email:

“Our reviewing the document.”

That small mistake changes how others perceive your attention to detail. The correct sentence—

“We are reviewing the document.”
—shows clarity and professionalism.

Even small differences like this can affect how others judge your credibility, especially in written communication.

Common Phrases and Expressions Using “Are” and “Our”

Both words appear in countless idioms, quotes, and sayings. Let’s explore how each functions in context.

Expressions with “Are”

• “We are what we repeatedly do.” – Aristotle
• “You are never too old to learn.”
• “They are heroes among us.”

Expressions with “Our”

• “Our home is our castle.”
• “Our dreams shape our destiny.”
• “Our future depends on the choices we make today.”

These examples highlight the distinction between expressing existence (are) and possession (our).

Read More:“Thank You Both” or “Thanks to Both of You”: Which Is

Are vs. Our in Other English Varieties

While American English often merges the sounds of “are” and “our,” British and Australian English sometimes keep a subtle distinction.

Regional Pronunciation Notes

For ESL learners, understanding these variations helps with listening comprehension and speech clarity, especially when interacting with native speakers from different regions.

FAQs About “Are” vs. “Our”

What’s the difference between “are” and “our”?

“Are” is a verb that expresses being or existence, while “our” is a possessive adjective showing ownership.

Is “our” pronounced like “are”?

Yes, in many accents—especially American English—they sound identical. However, in British English, “our” can sound like “hour.”

Can I use “our” instead of “are”?

No. They serve completely different grammatical functions and cannot be interchanged.

How do I know when to use “are”?

Use “are” when describing an action or state involving plural subjects or the pronoun “you.”

Can “our” stand alone in a sentence?

No. “Our” must always modify a noun—e.g., “our team,” “our plan.”

Final Summary

The confusion between “are” and “our” comes down to sound, not meaning.
They may sound alike in speech, but their grammatical roles couldn’t be more different.

• “Are” = a form of the verb to be → shows state or action.
• “Our” = a possessive adjective → shows ownership or belonging.

By paying attention to context, you can easily tell them apart.

Key Takeaways

• Are is used with plural subjects (we, you, they).
• Our always appears before a noun.
• Check whether the sentence is about being or belonging.
• Homophones can trick the ear, so trust your grammar, not just your hearing.
• Proofread everything—especially short, common words.

“Clarity in language builds clarity in thought.” When you write clearly, you communicate confidence and precision.

Now that you’ve learned the difference between “are” and “our,” you’ll never second-guess your grammar again. Practice, read aloud, and soon the right choice will come naturally every time you write.

Bella Rae