yours

This book is yours.

Definition

1. Pronoun:
   • Possessive form of 'you': "yours" indicates that something belongs to the person or people being addressed. It replaces a noun phrase like "your + noun" to avoid repetition.

Usage Examples

• (The book belongs to you.)
• (Does this pen belong to you?)
• (I forgot your ticket.)
• (One of your friends called earlier.)

Advanced Usage

• "yours truly": a formal closing in letters, meaning "I" or "me" in a slightly humorous or self-referential way.

  • The culprit was yours truly. (The culprit was me.)

• "yours faithfully": used at the end of a formal letter when the recipient's name is not known.

  • Yours faithfully, John Smith. (Formal letter closing.)

• "yours sincerely": used at the end of a formal letter when the recipient's name is known.

  • Yours sincerely, Jane Doe. (Formal letter closing.)

• "what's yours?": an informal phrase used to ask someone what drink they would like.

  • I'll have a beer. What's yours? (What drink would you like?)

Variants and Related Words

• Your (determiner): the possessive form of 'you' used before a noun.

  • This is your book. (The book belongs to you.)

• Yourself (pronoun): the reflexive form of 'you'.

  • You should take care of yourself. (You should take care of your own person.)

Synonyms

• Belonging to you: no direct synonym, but "your own" can be used for emphasis.
  • This is your own book. (This book belongs to you alone.)

Idioms and Fixed Expressions

• "yours to command": a formal or humorous way of saying you are ready to obey.

  • I am yours to command, my lord. (I am ready to follow your orders.)

• "yours for the taking": something that is available for you to take.

  • The prize is yours for the taking. (The prize is available for you to win.)