on their possession

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on their possession" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used to refer to something that someone owns or has in their control, but the correct expression would be "in their possession." Example: "The documents were found in their possession during the investigation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Since 2003, his office has refused to comply with an executive order requiring entities in the executive branch to file annual reports on their possession of classified data, at one point blocking an inspection by officials from the Archives.

The Washington Post

On their possession after Belinelli's basket, the Knicks passed the ball well enough to get a good look by Novak.

The New York Times - Sports

After the Bears took the lead on their possession, Kansas answered with Jordan Webb's 25-yard scoring pass to Tim Biere.

The New York Times

Wales were eager to put width on their possession, and that adventure reaped its reward when wing Leigh Halfpenny roamed free in midfield, injected pace and then sent centre Williams clear for his first Test try.

Independent

Holland, the athletic director at East Carolina, wrote: "The current situation that allows the defensive team to foul (intentionally) and limit the offensive team to a maximum of 2 points on that possession is not fair now that the team gaining possession after the free throws has the option of trying for 3 points on their possession.

The New York Times - Sports

Further angst could be found in United's apparent inability to capitalise on their possession.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Kentucky struggled to get many second chances; the Wildcats — supposedly with three one-and-done players — doing a lot of one-and-done shooting on their possessions.

The New York Times

Precisely following approaches will follow the protocol, but try to find out as much secret information as possible based on their possessions that would help us detect the efficient approach.

Data Science and Engineering

Despite considerable wealth, Francesco became the most aggressive plaintiff in the Florentine Merchants Court, targeting "little people" and pouncing on their possessions if they couldn't repay their small loans.

Huffington Post

It is the ideal way for students to keep an eye on their possessions while they're at class or at a party.

Huffington Post

According to Kenneth Crouch, a legal advocate with the Bronx Defenders, the vast majority of claimants simply give up on their possessions.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "in their possession" instead of "on their possession" for grammatically correct writing. The preposition "in" is the standard way to indicate ownership or control.

Common error

Avoid using "on" when indicating possession. "On" typically refers to a surface or location, while "in" correctly denotes containment or control. Remember that saying something is "in their possession" implies they have it, while "on their person" means they are carrying it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on their possession" functions as a prepositional phrase, but it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that the standard and correct form is "in their possession".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

43%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "on their possession" appears in a number of sources, it is considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI and standard English grammar dictates that the correct phrasing to indicate ownership, control, or physical carriage is "in their possession". Although examples of the incorrect phrase can be found in news and science publications, it's best practice to avoid it in favor of the grammatically correct alternative to ensure clarity and credibility. Using "in their possession" is particularly important in formal writing and professional contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in their possession

Uses the correct preposition 'in' instead of 'on' to indicate ownership or control.

under their control

Emphasizes the power or authority to manage something.

in their custody

Refers to the state of being held by authorities.

under their ownership

Highlights the legal right to possess something.

in their keeping

Emphasizes the act of holding and protecting something.

among their belongings

Indicates an item located within their personal effects.

among their effects

Similar to belongings, but can also include less tangible things.

in their hands

Suggests direct involvement or control.

within their grasp

Indicates something attainable or accessible to them.

carried by them

Specifies that they are physically transporting something.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "on their possession"?

The correct way to phrase this is "in their possession". The preposition "in" is used to indicate containment or control, which is appropriate when discussing possession.

Is "on their possession" grammatically correct?

No, "on their possession" is not grammatically correct. The standard English phrase is "in their possession".

When should I use "in their possession" instead of "on their possession"?

Always use "in their possession" to indicate that someone owns or controls something. The phrase "on their possession" is not considered standard English.

What's the difference between "in their possession" and "on their person"?

"In their possession" means that someone owns or controls something, while "on their person" means that someone is currently carrying something on their body or immediate vicinity.