mine

Everyday

1. (pronoun) Belonging to me: «That book is mine». tree →
2. (noun) A deep hole or tunnels in the ground where people dig out coal, gold, metals or stones. tree →
3. (noun) A bomb hidden in the ground or the sea that explodes when touched. tree →
4. (verb) To dig coal, metals or stones out of the ground. tree →
5. (noun) A rich source: «a mine of information». tree →

In the lessons

In grammar, «mine» is a possessive pronoun used alone (mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs). In geography and science, rocks and metals are mined from the ground; mining gives us materials but can harm the land. In history, children once worked in coal mines. In safety, old mines and mine shafts are deadly — never go in. Phrases: «a friend of mine», «coal mine», «gold mine», «a mine of information».

Examples

• That red pencil is mine. tree →
• Is this yours or mine? tree →
• She's a friend of mine from swimming. tree →
• Coal was dug out of a deep mine. tree →
• They mine gold and copper in the mountains. tree →
• Keep out of old mines — the tunnels can collapse. tree →
• Grandpa is a mine of information about birds. tree →
• Mines left after wars still hurt people today. tree →
• Thy need is greater than mine." tree →

Note

Pronoun «mine» stands alone; it is never followed by a noun: «my bag» but «the bag is mine». Never «mine's book». The person who digs is a «miner» (homophone: «minor», meaning small or a child under the law).

In Jewish tradition

When God says "Mine", He claims the firstborn, the land and the people as His own.

Interpretation. The rabbis read God's "Mine" as a sign that everything in the world belongs to Him, and people only hold it in trust.

Examples

• And now when shall I provide for mine own house also?' (Torah GEN.30.30, JPS 1917) tree →
• I will heap evils upon them; I will spend Mine arrows upon them; (Torah DEU.32.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether.' (Torah NUM.23.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• Repentance be hid from Mine eyes! (Prophets HOS.13.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• How many are mine iniquities and sins? (Writings JOB.13.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• LORD, how many are mine adversaries become! (Writings PSA.3.2, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Pronoun «mine» stands alone; it is never followed by a noun: «my bag» but «the bag is mine». Never «mine's book». The person who digs is a «miner» (homophone: «minor», meaning small or a child under the law).