need to possess

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "need to possess" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing requirements or necessities for someone to have something, whether it be skills, qualities, or items. Example: "To succeed in this role, you need to possess strong communication skills and a proactive attitude."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I need to possess them a little bit".

The New York Times

Is Troubling Love the need to possess the mother? A. Yes.

The Guardian - Books

I have learned that I don't need to possess things in order to love them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

People have borrowed books for eons without feeling the need to "possess" them.

MIT Technology Review

Before you enroll in any degree-applicable courses, you need to possess a bachelor's degree.

Harvard University

Partners also need to possess a delicate balance between similarities and differences.

The Economist

IT leaders are a unique breed, and they need to possess a heady brew of business, technology, and interpersonal skills.

Harvard Business Review

For its tactics to violate antitrust laws, Apple would need to possess what is known as a "dominant" market share.

The New York Times

Likewise, it is equally important that teachers of the digital world need to possess multimodal literacy knowledge and skills.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

But to say that discoveries are unexpected is a circularity — to anticipate discoveries, we would need to possess the knowledge entailed and so wouldn't need the discovery.

The New York Times - Books

At any time her voice is not of the Bach quality or flexibility and has no need to possess these characteristics; her style and world are different.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "need to possess", ensure the context clearly indicates whether the possession is a necessity, a requirement, or a strong recommendation. Using more specific verbs can sometimes make your writing more precise.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "need to possess" in formal writing, especially in academic or professional contexts. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive or less sophisticated. Opt for more varied and context-specific synonyms like "require", "mandate", or "entail" to add nuance and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "need to possess" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing a requirement or necessity. It indicates that having or owning something is essential or obligatory. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "need to possess" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for conveying necessity or requirement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English, particularly across news, scientific, and academic domains. While versatile, it's advisable to avoid overuse and consider synonyms such as "are required to have" or "must own" for greater writing precision. The phrase exhibits a neutral to professional register, fitting various formal and informal contexts. Remember, while effective, ensure your writing remains nuanced by choosing the most contextually appropriate alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are required to have

Highlights a formal requirement or condition to possess something.

are essential to obtain

Stresses the paramount importance of getting the posession of something.

must own

Emphasizes obligation or necessity in owning something; stronger sense of duty.

have to acquire

Focuses on the action of obtaining or gaining possession of something.

should have

Suggests advisability or expectation in having something; less forceful.

are compelled to hold

Indicates being forced or obliged to have something.

are obliged to maintain

Stresses duty to keep something in one's possession; ongoing responsibility.

have a duty to control

Focuses on the moral or legal responsibility in possessing something.

are bound to retain

Highlights being legally or contractually obligated to keep something.

are expected to demonstrate

Indicates that the possession of quality/skill it's anticipated or predicted based on prior knowledge or experience.

FAQs

How can I use "need to possess" in a sentence?

You can use "need to possess" to indicate a requirement or necessity, such as "To be eligible for the scholarship, you "need to possess" a strong academic record".

What can I say instead of "need to possess"?

Alternatives to "need to possess" include "are required to have", "must own", or "should have", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "need to possess" or "need to have"?

Both ""need to possess"" and "need to have" are grammatically correct, but "need to possess" often implies a more formal or emphatic requirement. Consider the context to choose the most appropriate phrasing.

What's the difference between "need to possess" and "desire to possess"?

"Need to possess" indicates a requirement or necessity, while "desire to possess" suggests a want or wish. The former is about obligation, and the latter is about preference.