maintained possession

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintained possession" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to ownership, control, or custody of an object, property, or rights. Example: "The player maintained possession of the ball throughout the game, showcasing exceptional skill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

The rally stalled when Stanford maintained possession.

The New York Times - Sports

He maintained possession long enough to establish a catch.

The New York Times

They maintained possession when Washington State was called for holding.

The New York Times - Sports

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

The New York Times - Sports

Temple maintained possession when the ball bounced off a Duke player and out of bounds.

The New York Times - Sports

The Patriots maintained possession, drove for the tying field goal, then won in overtime.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

It won the ball with strong tackles (witness Cherundolo's leveling of Jermaine Taylor early in the game), possessed it with simple passes, and helped maintain possession so the United States could build its offensive attack.

The New York Times

Barca maintains possession but to little result.

The New York Times

We needed to maintain possession and failed to.

The Guardian - Sport

– the English debated the importance of maintaining possession.

The Guardian - Sport

His crisp passing helped the U.S maintain possession.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sports or legal matters, use "maintained possession" to clearly indicate the continuation of control or ownership, adding precision to your descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "maintained possession" when simply possessing something is sufficient. This phrase is most effective when emphasizing the continuation or preservation of control, not just the state of having something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintained possession" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of continuing to have control or ownership of something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, with examples demonstrating its role in describing continued control in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

9%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "maintained possession" is a versatile verb phrase primarily used to indicate the continuation of control, ownership, or custody. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in sports reporting and news media. Its function is to assert the ongoing nature of control, and it carries a neutral register suitable for professional communication. While frequently found in "News & Media", it also appears in "Wiki" and less commonly in "Science". When writing, use "maintained possession" to emphasize the continuity of control or ownership, while avoiding its overuse in scenarios where simple possession is sufficient. Alternatives include "retained control" and "held onto", each offering subtle variations in meaning. All aspects considered, "maintained possession" is a valuable tool for conveying precise and accurate information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kept possession of

A more literal rephrasing, simply emphasizing the act of continuing to possess something.

continued to hold

A straightforward way to express the act of maintaining possession without interruption.

retained control

Emphasizes the act of keeping control, often in a more general sense.

held onto

Suggests tightly grasping or keeping something, often against opposition.

kept hold of

Similar to "held onto", but can also imply a degree of effort in retaining something.

preserved ownership

Focuses specifically on maintaining legal or rightful ownership of something.

did not relinquish control

Highlights the act of actively avoiding the loss of control.

secured custody

Implies obtaining and maintaining physical control or guardianship.

clung to

Suggests a desperate or tenacious effort to keep something.

sustained command

Implies a level of authority or dominance maintained over something.

FAQs

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

You can use "maintained possession" to describe someone keeping control of something, such as "The team "maintained possession" of the ball throughout the game."

What are some alternatives to "maintained possession"?

Some alternatives include "retained control", "held onto", or "kept possession of", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "maintained possession" or "retained possession"?

Both "maintained possession" and "retained possession" are correct and often interchangeable. However, "maintained" emphasizes continuity, while "retained" might suggest regaining something previously lost.

What's the difference between "maintained possession" and "held possession"?

"Maintained possession" implies a continuous state of having and controlling something, while "held possession" simply means to have something in one's grasp at a particular moment. The former emphasizes duration.