has possessed

USAGE SUMMARY

"has possessed" is a valid, grammatically correct phrase in written English.
It is an example of the present perfect tense. You can use it when you want to express an action that took place in the past that has a continued relevance in the present. For example: "John has possessed a strong work ethic throughout his entire career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It has possessed me, like a disease.

The New Yorker

The world of "The Wizard of Oz" has possessed us.

The New Yorker

What has possessed us to do this again?

The New York Times

"No man has possessed me as much as you," she writes.

Independent

It is a fantastic dream that has possessed him ever since.

Independent

Despite the hype attached to more recent tenors, none has possessed a voice of Corelli's exciting vibrancy.

The Guardian

It has happened so often to a franchise that, in recent years, has possessed an abundance of talent.

The New York Times - Sports

North Korea has possessed short-range missiles for years, but was never known to have long-range missile capability.

The New York Times - Magazine

No nation in history has possessed the wealth, military might or technological edge over its rivals that America has today.

The New York Times

CASSANDRA has possessed a Kindle (purchased by his ever-attentive wife) for more than a year and it remains virtually unused.

The Economist

Every president since John F. Kennedy has possessed a nice space program on paper, but no other president has had the cash to "make it so".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract qualities or characteristics, "has possessed" can be a sophisticated way to highlight a sustained attribute, but ensure the context supports this slightly formal tone.

Common error

Avoid using "has possessed" in overly casual or informal writing. Simpler verbs like "has" or "owned" often sound more natural and appropriate in everyday conversation or less formal texts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has possessed" functions as a present perfect verb, indicating a state or condition that began in the past and continues to have relevance or existence in the present. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb phrase "has possessed" is a grammatically sound construction that indicates a continuing state of ownership or attribute from the past to the present. Ludwig AI confirms this, identifying its use across diverse domains. While it's more formal than simple alternatives like "has" or "owned", it's versatile enough for news, academic and professional writing. However, be mindful of the formality level, as simpler terms might be more suitable for informal contexts. Common related phrases include "has owned", "has maintained", and "has exhibited", offering nuances in meaning while maintaining a similar sense of sustained possession or quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been in possession of

A more formal way of saying "has possessed", emphasizing legal or official ownership.

has owned

Focuses specifically on the aspect of ownership, replacing the broader sense of "possessed".

has maintained

Implies a continued state of having something, often with an effort to keep it.

has exhibited

Highlights the demonstration of a quality or characteristic over time.

has shown

Similar to 'exhibited', but can apply to traits, abilities, or even physical items.

has displayed

Focuses on the visual or observable aspect of possessing a quality or item.

has controlled

Emphasizes the aspect of authority or command over something.

has been endowed with

Suggests that someone or something has been given a particular quality or attribute.

has benefited from

Highlights the positive consequences of having something.

has experienced

Focuses on the personal encounter or undergoing of a particular event or feeling.

FAQs

How can I use "has possessed" in a sentence?

Use "has possessed" to describe something someone has owned, shown, or maintained from the past until now. For example, "She "has possessed" a strong sense of justice since childhood."

What's a simpler alternative to "has possessed"?

Depending on the context, consider alternatives like "has owned", "has maintained", or simply "has". For instance, instead of "He has possessed this car for ten years", you could say "He "has owned" this car for ten years."

Is "has possessed" formal or informal?

"Has possessed" tends to be more formal than simpler alternatives. It's suitable for academic, professional, or news contexts, but might sound stilted in casual conversation.

How does "has possessed" differ from "had possessed"?

"Has possessed" indicates something that began in the past and continues to the present, whereas "had possessed" refers to something owned or held in the past, prior to another past event. For example, "She has possessed the painting since 2000" (still possesses it), versus "She had possessed the painting before she sold it" (no longer possesses it).