have the ball

USAGE SUMMARY

"have the ball" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about people who possess a physical object, to indicate enthusiasm, or to indicate that someone has the power or expertise to do something. Examples: "I can't wait to have the ball in my court for this project!" "After years of hard work, she finally had the ball with her career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have the ball.

The New York Times - Magazine

Seattle have the ball!

The Guardian - Sport

Luckily, the Dolphins have the ball.

The New York Times

Who will have the ball last?

The New York Times

When the Ravens have the ball Handoff.

The New York Times

The Cavaliers have the ball.

The Guardian - Sport

Heat will have the ball!

The Guardian - Sport

England still have the ball.

The Guardian - Sport

Here Spain: have the ball.

The Guardian - Sport

Have the ball is not because have the ball for have the ball.

The Guardian - Sport

And Spain almost always have the ball.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have the ball" to describe physical possession in sports, or metaphorically to indicate control, opportunity, or responsibility in other contexts. Ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "have the ball" in situations where it implies literal possession when you intend to convey abstract concepts like responsibility or influence. Choose clearer alternatives like "be in charge" or "have the opportunity" if the context isn't immediately apparent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have the ball" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating possession or control. Ludwig examples show its usage in both literal (sports) and figurative (responsibility) contexts. Ludwig AI confirms it's correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0.33%

Encyclopedias

0.33%

Reference

0.33%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have the ball" is a versatile verb phrase primarily used to denote physical possession in sports, but also employed metaphorically to signify control, opportunity, or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While the phrase is quite common in news and media, as shown by Ludwig's examples, its register leans towards neutral to informal, making it less suitable for formal academic or scientific writing. When using the phrase, consider the context to ensure clarity, and explore alternatives like "hold possession" or "have the opportunity" for more precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be in possession

Similar to "hold possession" but slightly more formal, denoting control and ownership.

hold possession

Highlights the act of maintaining control of the ball, often used in sports commentary.

possess the sphere

Emphasizes physical possession of a ball in a sporting context, using more formal language.

be in control of the play

Focuses on the control and strategic advantage in a game or competition, moving beyond simple possession.

be on the offensive

Highlights an attacking or proactive stance, often in contrast to a defensive one.

have the advantage

Emphasizes a beneficial position or superior footing in a competitive scenario.

dictate the game

Focuses on influencing and controlling the flow and direction of a competition.

be at the helm

Shifts the meaning to indicate leadership or control over a situation, not necessarily a physical ball.

be in charge

Indicates responsibility and authority, a broader application than physical possession.

have the opportunity

Focuses on having a chance or opening, abstracting away from the literal ball.

FAQs

How can I use "have the ball" in a sentence?

You can use "have the ball" to describe physical possession in sports, such as "The quarterback needs to quickly decide who to pass to if they "have the ball"". It can also be used metaphorically to mean someone has control or an opportunity.

What are some alternatives to "have the ball"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "hold possession", "be in control", or "have the opportunity".

When is it appropriate to use "have the ball" metaphorically?

It's appropriate when you want to convey that someone has control, an advantage, or a responsibility, similar to how a player in a game has control when they "have the ball".

Is "have the ball" formal or informal language?

"Have the ball" is generally considered neutral to informal. For more formal situations, consider using "hold possession" or restructuring your sentence for clarity.