0

If I call a plumber and tell him I need service at an "address". Then he calls back to say he's lost, which of these would be grammatically correct to say?

My house is second on the right.

Our house is second on the right.

The original conversation was between him and I, no one else involved. The house is owned by my wife and I. If I say our its because its not just mine but he only knows of me so is it ok to say my house?

5
  • 1
    It depends on whether you consider the house to belong to you, or also to your family/other residents. This choice is sensitive to several factors.
    – Hot Licks
    Commented Mar 31, 2018 at 0:24
  • 2
    You ask which is "grammatically correct". I'd prefer a "the" before "second" in each case, but My vs Our doesn't affect the grammar of the sentence.
    – Lawrence
    Commented Mar 31, 2018 at 0:26
  • It also depends on the reason for the direction. If you're in a car, getting a lift to your house, you'd likely say "my house", since other residents are irrelevant. If instructing someone on how to find your house to attend a party you'd typically say "our house", since presumably the party involves everyone in the house.
    – Hot Licks
    Commented Mar 31, 2018 at 0:27
  • So if my wife is irrelevant in the conversation as to whos house it is then my house is fine to say.
    – Paul
    Commented Mar 31, 2018 at 2:58
  • Just a point, if you were the sole owner would you say "The house is owned by I"? If not why use "I" to describe the joint ownership?
    – BoldBen
    Commented Mar 31, 2018 at 8:09

3 Answers 3

3

Both of these are perfectly correct. You can use whichever one you prefer.

1

Either is correct - but since the plumber does not know anything about your wife (or any other member of your family) - and since the details regarding ownership are irrelevant...I would probably keep it simple and say "My house".

0

Strunk & White advocate for minimal communications.

Adding in irrelevant information only clouds the message.

The house is a bit impersonal, but probably more correct.

"It the second house on the right"

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .