in her possession

USAGE SUMMARY

"in her possession" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to describe something that is owned or held by someone. Example: The diamond ring was in her possession for over 20 years before she finally decided to sell it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

No, Valerie Eliot had been possessed by love, and it stayed in her possession, and one felt complicit in it, talking to her.

The Guardian - Books

The one-legged doll remained in her possession.

The New Yorker

She said, without disclosing details, that the painting had been in her possession for years.

The New York Times

It is perhaps fitting then that her favorite possession is not in her possession at all.

The New York Times - Style

She rushed out to sequester the boxes, which she has kept in in her possession.

The New York Times

They are now some of the most important drawings in her possession.

The New York Times - Arts

Gilot never cared for it, she says, which is how it remains in her possession.

The Guardian - Arts

The film returns to the present day, and centenarian Rose is revealed to still have the jewel in her possession.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A list of other politicians was found in her possession, and she had researched voting records on Iraq.

The Guardian

She was detained and later deported to Mexico with no belongings, clothing, passport or other documents in her possession.

The Washington Post

"She was convicted of having in her possession 740 pounds of explosives, a submachine gun, weapons," the mayor said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in her possession" to clearly indicate that someone owns or has control of an item, especially in legal or formal contexts where precision is important.

Common error

Be careful not to use "in her possession" interchangeably with phrases like "near her" or "with her" if you specifically mean to convey ownership or legal control, rather than mere proximity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in her possession" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb by indicating location, state, or condition. Ludwig examples show it describing the state of having or owning something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in her possession" is a prepositional phrase denoting ownership, control, or custody, frequently employed in news and media but apt for formal contexts where clarity is key. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct and widespread. While alternatives like "in her keeping" or "under her control" exist, "in her possession" is particularly fitting when emphasizing physical ownership or legal status. Therefore, understanding its appropriate usage helps ensure precision and professionalism in both writing and speech. Remember to reserve this phrase when conveying true ownership or legal possession and avoid its misuse in casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

belonging to her

Directly states ownership or affiliation.

in her ownership

Focuses on the legal right of owning something.

in her keeping

Emphasizes the act of taking care of or guarding something.

in her hands

Highlights physical control or immediate access.

under her control

Stresses the power to manage or direct something.

in her custody

Implies legal or protective care.

held by her

Simply indicates that she is holding something.

at her disposal

Suggests readiness and availability for use.

with her

Indicates that something is physically located near her.

carried by her

Focuses on the act of carrying or transporting something.

FAQs

How can I use "in her possession" in a sentence?

You can use "in her possession" to indicate ownership or control of an item, as in: "The stolen jewels were found "in her possession" when the police searched her apartment."

What are some alternatives to saying "in her possession"?

Alternatives include "in her ownership", "in her keeping", or "belonging to her", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "in her possession" than "she has it"?

Yes, "in her possession" is generally considered more formal than "she has it" and is often used in legal, official, or more serious contexts.

What's the difference between "in her possession" and "under her control"?

"In her possession" typically refers to physical ownership or holding of an item, while "under her control" suggests that she has the power to manage or direct something, which may not necessarily involve physical possession.