has been possessing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been possessing" is grammatically correct but not commonly used in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to emphasize an ongoing state of possession that started in the past and continues to the present. Example: "She has been possessing a rare collection of stamps since her childhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Though they eventually defeat Maleficent, the three discover that Ansem (Xehanort's Heartless) who has been possessing Riku's body, using Maleficent and plans to attain eternal darkness by opening Kingdom Hearts himself.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's as if he has been possessed".

The Guardian

Every President to date has been possessed of a Y chromosome.

The New Yorker

You have a feeling, at such moments, that popular tradition has been possessed by an alien, ironic intelligence.

The New Yorker

"Rock music is really just the finish line for everything that has been possessed by terrible afflictions.

The Guardian - Music

To catch a likeness is, however remotely, to possess, and what has been possessed may be retained through the strange mnemonic chemistry of metaphor.

The Guardian - Books

Ever since, Thomas has been possessed by a kind of metric voyeurism in which he finds a sexual thrill in the measurement of human bodies.

The New York Times

You never believed in me, you were never grateful …" After his demolition job on Jesse, it's like he has been possessed as he mimics her "whining" ("It's immoral! It's illegal!").

The Guardian - TV & Radio

At a deeper level, the nation's very psyche has been possessed by this abnormal obsession.

Huffington Post

Following from "Os", Olivia's (Anna Torv) body has been possessed by William Bell.

Wikipedia

It's a game about a game that has been possessed by Satan for the purpose of stealing players' souls.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been possessing", consider if a simpler phrase like "has had" or "has held" would be more direct and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "has been possessing" when a simple present perfect tense ("has") conveys the same meaning more concisely. For example, instead of "She has been possessing that book for years", use "She has had that book for years".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been possessing" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect progressive tense. It describes an action (possessing) that started in the past and continues into the present, emphasizing the duration or ongoing nature of the possession. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been possessing" is a grammatically valid verb phrase in the present perfect progressive tense, used to describe a prolonged or continuous state of possession. However, Ludwig indicates that the phrase is not as common as simpler alternatives like "has had" or "has held". The phrase appears in various contexts, including news and media, but writers should be mindful of its frequency and choose the most concise and easily understood phrasing for clarity. The expert rating acknowledges its correctness and source reliability, but also its relative infrequency in common usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has had

This is a more common and direct way to indicate present possession that started in the past.

has been holding

This alternative emphasizes the act of keeping or maintaining something over time.

has maintained possession of

This phrase adds a formal tone and highlights the continuous nature of the possession.

has been under the influence of

This suggests a less literal possession, perhaps more of an abstract control or effect.

has been characterized by

This shifts the meaning to describe a prevailing attribute or quality.

has controlled

This conveys a sense of dominance or authority over something.

has been marked by

This phrase denotes that something shows signs or effects of possession or influence.

has exerted control over

This indicates the application of power or authority continuously.

has been seized by

This implies a sudden and forceful takeover or overpowering.

has dominated

This suggests a supreme or overwhelming control or influence.

FAQs

What's a simpler alternative to "has been possessing"?

Consider using alternatives like "has had" or "has held" for more straightforward phrasing.

When is it appropriate to use "has been possessing"?

Use "has been possessing" when you want to emphasize the continuous nature of possessing something over a period of time. However, ensure that the emphasis is necessary, as simpler alternatives are often clearer.

Is "has been possessing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "has been possessing" is grammatically correct, but it's not as commonly used as other alternatives like "has had".

Can "has been possessing" imply something other than literal ownership?

Yes, depending on the context, it can imply influence or control, similar to the phrase "has been under the influence of", though this is less common.