as a possessed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a possessed" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe someone who is possessed, but the phrasing is awkward and lacks context. Example: "He acted strangely, as a possessed individual might, speaking in tongues and exhibiting unusual strength."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Even in the age of uncivil talk-show discourse and vicious campaign advertisements — Ms. Fiorina's campaign constructed one that depicted her primary opponent as a possessed sheep — physical appearance, especially hair, is a place most candidates and their staff are careful not to go.

The New York Times

Linda Blair, now 43 and best known for her role as a possessed 12-year-old in The Exorcist, is an autograph show mainstay, selling photos of herself and hawking her new book, Going Vegan!

Forbes

Though rife with elements such as a possessed child and fetishized violence and debilitating medical conditions, "Sacred Deer" is fundamentally a parable on how we've forgotten to be good.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The haunting yet playful nature of the pieces feels as if a possessed child was playing with her food.

Huffington Post

It was found that the converter with high substrate length ratio achieved a good flow uniformity performance, as well as possessed a low light-off temperature.

Catalysis Today

Not because we as a people possess some special charm.

Los Angeles Times

He can also jump, heave, tackle and sprint, as well as possessing a sharp brain, a strong faith and a genuine interest in politics.

The Guardian - Sport

The additional motif information allows users to concentrate on genes that exhibit coexpression with a transcriptional module as well as possessing a predicted consensus sequence.

BMC Genomics

Nevertheless, the federal government has charged each with six felonies, including manufacturing, possession and distribution of marijuana, as well as possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Huffington Post

Burbank police arrested Guerrero on suspicion of burglary, as well as possessing a fraudulent public seal after reportedly discovering a fraudulent immigration card in his wallet, Ryburn said.

Los Angeles Times

The results obtained point out that our final QSAR model is statistically significant and robust as well as possessing a high predictive effectiveness.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone affected by an external force, consider using more precise language such as "as if controlled by" or "as if influenced by" to clearly communicate the nature of the influence.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "as a possessed" when intending to describe general influence or strong emotions. It is grammatically awkward and doesn't effectively convey the intended meaning. Consider rephrasing to "as if possessed by" or "like a possessed person".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a possessed" functions as part of an adverbial phrase, attempting to modify a verb by describing the manner in which an action is performed. However, Ludwig AI indicates the phrasing is awkward and requires careful construction to be grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

6.66%

Formal & Business

3.33%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as a possessed" is grammatically questionable and not recommended for formal writing. According to Ludwig AI, the phrasing is awkward. While it appears in various contexts, including news and media, science, and academia, clearer alternatives like "as if possessed by" or "like a possessed person" are preferred. When describing states of influence, consider using more precise and grammatically sound alternatives to improve clarity and avoid misinterpretation. It's advisable to prefer constructions such as "as if possessed" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

like someone influenced

This is a more neutral way of suggesting influence without specifying possession.

as if controlled by an outside force

Highlights the lack of self-control due to an external agent.

as if under a spell

Emphasizes a magical or enchanting influence, rather than a forceful takeover.

as though channeling a spirit

Implies a mediumistic state, acting as a vessel for another entity.

as if driven by something unseen

Suggests an internal compulsion or hidden motivation.

as if in a trance

Describes a state of altered consciousness and responsiveness.

behaving as if bewitched

Suggests behavior influenced by witchcraft or sorcery.

as though compelled by an urge

Highlights the irresistible nature of the driving force.

behaving erratically

Focuses on the unusual or unpredictable actions resulting from an unknown cause.

acting irrationally

Focuses on the lack of logical reasoning in behavior.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the term "as a possessed" in a sentence?

While grammatically awkward, "as a possessed" can be clarified by adding 'person' or specifying the manner: 'He acted strangely, as a possessed individual might, speaking in tongues and exhibiting unusual strength.' Better alternatives include "as if possessed" or "like a possessed person".

What are some alternative phrases to "as a possessed" to describe someone under strong influence?

You can use alternatives such as "as if under a spell", "as if controlled by an outside force", or "as if driven by something unseen" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "He behaved as a possessed person" or "He behaved as possessed"?

"He behaved as a possessed person" is grammatically correct. "He behaved as possessed" is less clear and could be improved by adding 'if' or 'though' to form "as if possessed".

What is the difference between saying someone is "possessed" versus "influenced"?

"Possessed" implies a loss of control due to an external supernatural force. "Influenced" suggests a more subtle persuasion or guidance, without necessarily implying a loss of free will. Consider alternatives like "as if controlled by an outside force" if you want to express the loss of control.