lost possession of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost possession of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of no longer having ownership or control over something. Example: "After the legal dispute, she lost possession of the family heirloom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

If I would have lost possession of the basketball, we might have been in overtime.

The New York Times - Sports

The company, based in New York, lost possession of the laptop July 26 at San Francisco International Airport.

The Washington Post

In the divorce, she lost possession of their home, and, amid her financial and psychological struggles, she saw that she was losing her children, too.

The New Yorker

Please be advised that police reports should only be filed for actual theft circumstances and not when you have lost possession of your card and you think someone may have taken it.

University of California, Berkeley

If the same situation occurred in the middle of the field, and a receiver who had become a runner lost possession of the ball as he reached forward for a first down, it would be a fumble.

The New York Times

On the boy's death in 1457, the House of Habsburg temporarily lost possession of both domains; Bohemia elected George of Poděbrady and Hungary elected Matthias I Corvinus as kings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"The movie ends on Nov. 21, 2011, when he loses possession of the Towers," she said.

The New York Times

"We can improve results by having more security when we lose possession of the ball," Mourinho said last week, and here he was true to that.

Independent

If you lose possession of the ball in the first minute during the play-offs, that might not just cost you the game.

Independent

An owner is under the common law, always in danger of losing possession of any piece of property he leaves open to others, so precautions are taken by property owners, to prevent this.

The New Yorker

Like many of Chaplin's projects, the production of the film was fraught with drama, as he feared that he would lose possession of the movie's negative in a nasty divorce battle.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lost possession of", ensure the context clearly indicates what was lost, and the circumstances surrounding the loss. For example, "The company lost possession of the documents due to a security breach".

Common error

Avoid confusing "possession", which refers to ownership or control, with "procession", which refers to a group moving forward in an orderly fashion. Using the wrong word can drastically alter the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost possession of" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of losing control or ownership of something. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

13%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lost possession of" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes the action of losing control or ownership. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correctness and wide applicability across various contexts, including news, sports, legal matters, and general discussions. While alternatives exist, understanding the nuance of each is important for precise communication. Some common errors related to this phrase include confusing "possession" with "procession".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relinquished control of

Emphasizes the act of voluntarily giving up control.

forfeited ownership of

Highlights the loss of ownership due to a rule or circumstance.

were deprived of

Focuses on the act of being forcibly stripped of something.

gave up control over

Highlights the relinquishing of control over something, potentially implying volition.

no longer had access to

Emphasizes the loss of the ability to use or access something.

dispossessed of

Formal term denoting being removed from possession.

yielded control of

Suggests a more deliberate or strategic surrender of control.

were ousted from

Indicates a forceful removal from a position of control or ownership.

surrendered control over

Emphasizes the voluntary aspect of giving up control.

ceased to hold

A more formal and general way of saying something is no longer possessed.

FAQs

What does "lost possession of" mean?

The phrase "lost possession of" means to no longer have control or ownership of something. This can occur through various means, such as theft, legal proceedings, or accidental loss.

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

You can use "lost possession of" to describe situations where someone no longer has control over something. For instance: "The team "relinquished control of" the ball in the final minutes of the game".

Which is correct, "lost possession of" or "lost of possession"?

"Lost possession of" is the correct phrasing. "Lost of possession" is grammatically incorrect.

What are some alternatives to "lost possession of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as ""relinquished control of"", "forfeited ownership of", or "were deprived of".