maintain possession of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain possession of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing ownership or control over an object or property. Example: "It is important to maintain possession of your personal belongings while traveling to avoid any loss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"Yeah, I'd like to maintain possession of it, but then only a few people would see it," he said.

The Guardian

His Irish team has adopted the Italian philosophy: maintain possession of the ball, defend with vigor, avoid ostentation and danger.

The New York Times

"But the more we thought about it, the more it made sense as a way to convince the Africans that they would maintain possession of the process".

The New York Times

Rugby is a high-impact collision sport, in which players have to exert extreme force in order to acquire and maintain possession of the ball.

The Guardian - Opinion

The key to his success has been his ability to maintain possession of the ball, with no turnovers in five starts.

The New York Times

10.37pm BST USA 23 - Australia 16, 1 57, 1st Quarter Kevin Love gets blocked on the floor, but still manages to maintain possession of the ball.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

UConn maintained possession of the ball and control of the game.

The New York Times - Sports

He maintained possession of it throughout in my opinion, but let me make it really clear: This game wasn't about officiating.

The Guardian - Sport

"The initial call on the field was that Troy Polamalu intercepted the pass because he maintained possession of the ball after hitting the ground.

The New York Times

People might come up with a broad shorthand that, in the case of tiki taka for example, maintaining possession of the ball is the defining characteristic.

The Economist

He kept both feet inside the end line and maintained possession of the ball as he was dragged down from behind.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing strategies in sports or games, use "maintain possession of" to highlight the importance of retaining control over the ball or key item.

Common error

Avoid using "maintain possession of" when simply stating ownership. Instead, use it to describe the action of actively keeping something, not just the state of owning it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain possession of" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "maintain" acts as a transitive verb taking "possession" as its object. It describes the action of keeping something one already has. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

18%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "maintain possession of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies the act of actively keeping something. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in written English. It's versatile, appearing in various contexts from sports and news to legal and scientific discussions. While alternatives like ""retain possession"" and ""hold onto"" exist, "maintain possession of" emphasizes the effort involved in preserving control or ownership. Remember to use it when you want to stress the action of actively keeping something, not merely stating static ownership.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

retain possession

Slightly more formal and concise version of the original phrase.

retain control over

Focuses more on the control aspect rather than just physical possession.

hold onto

More informal and emphasizes the act of gripping or keeping something close.

keep a hold of

Similar to 'hold onto' but slightly more emphatic.

preserve ownership of

Highlights the legal aspect of ownership rather than just the act of possessing.

safeguard possession of

Emphasizes protecting the possession from loss or damage.

stay in control of

Emphasizes the element of control, suggesting influence and management.

keep in custody

Often used in legal contexts, implying official or enforced possession.

uphold possession of

Implies maintaining possession against some form of opposition or threat.

defend one's ownership of

Suggests active protection of ownership, often against challenges.

FAQs

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

You can use "maintain possession of" to describe the act of retaining control or ownership of something. For example, "The team strategized to "retain control over" the ball throughout the game."

What are some alternatives to "maintain possession of"?

Alternatives include "retain possession", "hold onto", or "keep a hold of" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "retain possession of" or "maintain possession of"?

Both "maintain possession of" and "retain possession of" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice depends on stylistic preference, though "maintain" often implies a more active effort.

What does "maintain possession of" imply?

The phrase "maintain possession of" typically implies an active effort to keep or "hold onto" something, often in the face of potential loss or challenge. It suggests more than just simple ownership.