he came into possession of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he came into possession of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the acquisition or ownership of something, often in a formal or legal context. Example: "After the auction, he came into possession of a rare painting that had been in private hands for decades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

(He declined to tell me how he came into possession of them).

The New Yorker

Writer tells how he came into possession of a reproduction of the painting by the Swiss artist, Bocklin.

The New Yorker

How he came into possession of the 1787 Lafite (to give the wine its present spelling) is something of a mystery.

The New Yorker

(He declined to tell me how he came into possession of them). One morning this summer, Leshchenko pulled out a stack of papers: the Manafort ledgers.

The New Yorker

The prosecutor told the magistrate that Mr. Higazy "admitted ownership of the radio, but told three different versions of how he came into possession of the radio.

The New York Times

Having divorced his first wife and married the singer Bettina Jonic in 1960, he came into possession of Ledlanet – a family shooting lodge near Kinross – as a legacy from his great-uncle.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Investigators are attempting to determine how she came into possession of the shoelace, he said.

Los Angeles Times

And how did he come into possession of 179 gold ingots found at his house, hidden in flowerpots?

The Guardian

Originally the Clennam family butler, Flintwinch becomes the business partner of Mrs. Clennam after he comes into possession of confidential information about the family and its financial dealings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This goes horribly wrong when he comes into possession of a magical rock said to hail from Black London and coveted by all manner of nasty villains.

The Guardian - Books

He comes into possession of a cursed Ashanti blade that, after a run-in with his suicidal project assistant, ends up piercing him.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he came into possession of" when you want to emphasize the formal or legal aspect of acquiring something, especially when the process is complex or not straightforward.

Common error

Avoid using "he came into possession of" in casual or informal contexts. Simpler alternatives like "he got" or "he obtained" are more appropriate for everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he came into possession of" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the act of acquiring or gaining control of something. It often introduces a description of how someone obtained an item or asset. Examples are given in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

16%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he came into possession of" signifies acquiring something, typically in a formal context. While grammatically correct, it might sound overly formal in casual settings. Ludwig AI confirms that this expression is usable in written English. Alternatives like "he obtained" or "he acquired" offer simpler options. It appears frequently in News & Media and Wiki, and should be used to emphasize a formal or legal transfer of ownership.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he obtained

Direct synonym focusing on the act of getting something.

he acquired

Emphasizes gaining ownership, often through effort or purchase.

he gained ownership of

Highlights the aspect of ownership being transferred.

he took ownership of

Focuses on the act of assuming control or ownership.

he received

Simple and direct way to indicate something was given to him.

he was granted

Emphasizes that the possession was officially or formally given.

he inherited

Specifically indicates that the possession was passed down through inheritance.

he secured

Suggests effort or competition was involved in gaining possession.

he laid claim to

Focuses on establishing a legal or rightful possession.

he fell heir to

Indicates succession or inheritance, often of a title or estate.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "he came into possession of" to sound more natural?

Consider using alternatives like "he obtained", "he acquired", or "he got", depending on the context. These options often sound less formal.

Is "he came into possession of" suitable for academic writing?

Yes, "he came into possession of" is perfectly acceptable in academic writing, especially when describing the acquisition of property, information, or rights in a formal or legal context.

What is the difference between "he came into possession of" and "he obtained"?

"He came into possession of" is more formal and often implies a complex or official process of acquiring something. "He obtained" is a more general and neutral term.

When should I use "he came into possession of" instead of "he received"?

Use "he came into possession of" when emphasizing the process of acquiring ownership or control, particularly in legal or formal situations. Use "he received" when focusing on the act of being given something.