in our possession

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in our possession" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It indicates that something is owned or held by someone. Example: "The original manuscript of the book was found in our possession, allowing us to make an accurate translation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's not in our possession," Weinreb said.

The Guardian

"The most valuable weapons we had in our possession were from Syria," he said.

The New York Times

We paid dearly and lost heavily for the scant territory in our possession.

The Guardian

But we decided as a committee that they're better off in our possession".

The Guardian

He added: "We have no record of diamonds being in our possession".

The Guardian

"These analyses demonstrate the presence of sarin gas in the samples in our possession.

The Guardian

This means that Mail Services has it or will have it in our possession shortly.

Princeton University

Three of these table covers are now in our possession, and we will await your further instructions with reference thereto.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

There is no "realistic timetable for completion" and this will only happen "when all responses are in our possession and have been evaluated," the retired civil servant added.

Independent

To scrap a submarine is hardly in the same league, especially if it will not necessarily reduce the number of warheads in our possession.

The Guardian - Opinion

Reuse the plastic we already have in our possession.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, ensure the context clearly indicates what "in our possession" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For instance, specify "the documents in our possession" rather than just "in our possession".

Common error

Avoid assuming "in our possession" implies legal ownership if the context only suggests temporary holding or custody. Clarify the nature of possession if needed, such as stating "temporarily in our possession for review" to avoid misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in our possession" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb to indicate where something is located or who currently holds it. It specifies the state of ownership or control, as exemplified by the instances Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in our possession" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that signifies ownership or control over something. According to Ludwig AI, it's widely used across various contexts like News & Media, Academia, and Science, reflecting its versatility and clarity. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what is being possessed to avoid ambiguity. While versatile, it is generally more suitable for formal or neutral writing styles. Consider alternatives like "in our keeping" or ""under our control"" to better match the specific context. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively integrate "in our possession" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in our ownership

Uses the noun form of "own" to emphasize the legal aspect of possessing something.

in our keeping

Substitutes "possession" with "keeping", emphasizing the act of holding and safeguarding something.

in our hands

Replaces "possession" with "hands", highlighting physical control or management.

retained by us

Emphasizes the act of keeping or maintaining something, rather than just possessing it.

within our grasp

Replaces "possession" with "grasp", focusing on the idea of control and accessibility.

held by us

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct statement of holding something.

under our control

Replaces the entire phrase to focus on the aspect of control rather than ownership.

our property

Replaces the phrase with a noun phrase denoting ownership.

at our disposal

Shifts the focus to the availability and usability of something, rather than strict ownership.

with us

Broadens the meaning to simply indicate physical presence, not necessarily ownership.

FAQs

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

You can use "in our possession" to indicate that something is currently owned or held by a group. For example, "The evidence is "in our possession" and is being analyzed by our team."

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

"In our possession" generally means that something is owned or held by someone. "Under our control" implies that something is managed or directed by someone, but not necessarily owned. You could say that evidence is "in our possession", but a situation is "under our control".

What can I say instead of "in our possession"?

You can use alternatives like "in our keeping", "in our hands", or ""under our control"" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in our possessions" instead of "in our possession"?

While grammatically correct, "in our possessions" is less common than "in our possession". "Possession" in this context is often used as an uncountable noun. Using the plural form might suggest a focus on multiple individual items, but is less idiomatic. Consider rephrasing to something like "among our belongings".