keep possession of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep possession of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to maintaining control or ownership of something, such as an object or a right. Example: "It is important to keep possession of your personal belongings while traveling to avoid any loss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

The teams struggled to keep possession of the ball and combined for 47 turnovers.

The New York Times - Sports

Afterward, Norio Sasaki, Japan's coach, said he put in substitutes and told them to keep possession of the ball.

The New York Times - Sports

Our technical quality was very important tonight; the fact that we can go away and keep possession of the ball".

The Guardian - Sport

To find the right rhythm and keep possession of the ball, and find right moment to penetrate.

The New York Times

From the start of the tournament, it has displayed some glaring deficiencies, including an alarming inability to keep possession of the ball for extended periods.

The New Yorker

But if we keep possession of the ball, they'll have to run very hard for a long time without even touching it".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

A ruling against Marion County would force law enforcement to actually obey the law, and get rid of the incentive to keep possessions of people without a conviction, while ensuring that any forfeiture funds would finance public schools.

The Guardian - Opinion

Argentina keeps possession of a loose ball.

The Guardian - Sport

Her mother, who won't give her love, keeps possession of her past.

The Guardian - Film

She made the first of two free throws, and the Liberty kept possession of the ball for the next minute.

The New York Times - Sports

In one of the division's most intimidating arenas, his team kept calm during a spiky and fractious opening period, kept possession of the ball to draw the sting from the home side and won it with Edward Upson's late goal.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sports, use "keep possession of" to describe a team's ability to maintain control of the ball or puck.

Common error

Don't use "keep possession of" when "own" or "retain" would be more appropriate. "Keep possession of" implies an active effort to maintain control, not just a state of ownership.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep possession of" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of maintaining control over something. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. Examples from Ludwig show it commonly used in sports contexts, describing a team's ability to maintain control of the ball.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

20%

Sports

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Opinion

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep possession of" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of maintaining control or ownership. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in news, sports, and wiki articles, it's used when actively maintaining control is emphasized, particularly in situations where loss is a possibility. Related phrases include "maintain control of" and "retain ownership of". When using this phrase, be mindful of choosing more appropriate synonyms like "own" or "retain" when the context implies simple ownership rather than active control.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain possession of

Very similar but uses the more formal "maintain" instead of "keep".

maintain control of

Focuses more on the act of controlling something, rather than simply holding it.

guard possession of

Emphasizes protecting something from being taken.

retain ownership of

Emphasizes the legal or rightful holding of something.

sustain control of

Implies an ongoing effort to keep control over time.

preserve control over

Suggests an effort to protect control from being lost.

hold onto

More informal and suggests a tight or tenacious grip.

secure ownership of

Highlights the act of making ownership certain or safe.

prevent loss of

Focuses on avoiding the act of losing something.

cling to

Suggests a desperate or emotional need to hold onto something.

FAQs

How can I use "keep possession of" in a sentence?

You can use "keep possession of" when you want to express the act of maintaining control or ownership of something. For example, "The team struggled to keep possession of the ball" or "It is important to keep possession of your passport while traveling".

What can I say instead of "keep possession of"?

You can use alternatives like "maintain control of", "retain ownership of", or "hold onto" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "keep possession of"?

"Keep possession of" is appropriate when you want to emphasize the act of actively maintaining control over something, especially when there's a risk of losing it. For example in sports or competitive settings.

What's the difference between "keep possession of" and "own"?

"Own" simply indicates legal ownership. "Keep possession of" implies an active effort to maintain control or physical possession. It suggests preventing something from being taken or lost, unlike merely owning it.