in your possession

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in your possession" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has a particular item. For example, "The letters remain in your possession for the time being."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Keep your drink in your possession.

The Guardian

Question 10: Describe all supporting materials in your possession and the availability and location of any additional supporting materials not in your possession.

Cornell University

"My white paper is in your possession!" a man with a Slavic accent yelled at Novogratz.

The New Yorker

While your gadget is in your possession, this program lies dormant.

The New York Times - Tech

You used this device in the past but it is no longer in your possession.

Stanford University

I knew you had said on interrogation there were some in your possession.

Yale University

"Has the bag been in your possession the entire time since you packed it?" the skycap asked.

The New York Times

Please ensure that you have your ticket in your possession when called upon by the authorized Railway Servant.

The New Yorker

"A tube of anti-cavity toothpaste, MKIC, was found in your possession past its expiration date of 9 April 2015.

The Guardian

I won back in '97, and it's a pretty neat piece of crystal to have in your possession.

The New York Times - Sports

With two-step verification, you verify your HarvardKey logins with a device in your possession (generally a mobile phone).

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, ensure that the context clearly indicates what is meant by "in your possession" to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify documents, items, or information.

Common error

Avoid using "in your possession" when referring to abstract qualities or attributes; it should primarily denote physical or tangible items. Instead of saying "wisdom is in your possession", consider "you possess wisdom" or "you are wise".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in your possession" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating location or state of ownership. Ludwig examples confirm its role in specifying where something is located or who controls it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

27%

Wiki

22%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in your possession" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase, indicating that something is owned or controlled by someone. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and utility across various contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media, academic writings, and wiki articles. While versatile, it's best reserved for tangible items or clearly defined concepts, avoiding its use with abstract qualities. For alternatives, consider "belonging to you" or "under your control" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

belonging to you

Simple statement of ownership or belonging.

owned by you

Directly states ownership, often in a formal or legal context.

in your custody

Focuses more on legal or official control.

in your keeping

Implies safekeeping or responsibility for an item.

in your charge

Indicates a duty of care or oversight.

under your control

Emphasizes the ability to manage or direct something.

in your hands

Highlights direct physical holding or management.

at your disposal

Suggests something is available for use as needed.

under your roof

Suggests something is located at your house or place of residence.

within your grasp

Implies something is achievable or obtainable.

FAQs

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

Use "in your possession" to indicate that someone has control or ownership of something. For example, "Please ensure you have your ticket "in your possession" when boarding."

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

"In your possession" typically refers to physical items, while "under your control" can refer to more abstract concepts like resources or systems.

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

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "in your custody", "belonging to you", or "under your control".

Is it correct to say something abstract is ""in your possession""?

While grammatically correct, it's more common to use "possess" directly for abstract concepts. For instance, "You possess great wisdom" is preferable to "Great wisdom is "in your possession"".