possess a compilation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "possess a compilation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to having ownership or control over a collection of items, data, or information compiled together. Example: "To succeed in this project, you must possess a compilation of relevant research articles and data."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most schools have a compilation of courses available online.

WikiHow

A written sentence possesses a crippling inertia.

The New York Times

"He possesses a big cannon.

The New York Times - Sports

And Clegg possesses a onesie.

The Guardian

It possesses a sensor detecting lens desorption.

TechCrunch

What we now possess, then, is nothing but a compilation, and a rather mismanaged, haphazard and "mutilated" one at that.

SEP

(transcribed by Ryan Gaffney).

Huffington Post

Here's a compilation.

The New York Times

A compilation album, "Afrobeat..

The New York Times

A compilation of summer-reading lists.

The New Yorker

A compilation of teeny tiny memoirs.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "possess a compilation" when you want to convey a sense of formal ownership or control over a collected set of information or items. This phrasing is suitable for professional or academic writing where precision and formality are valued.

Common error

Avoid using "possess a compilation" in casual conversation or informal writing. The phrase can sound stilted or pretentious in contexts where simpler alternatives like "have a collection" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possess a compilation" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun phrase. The verb "possess" indicates ownership or control, while "a compilation" refers to a collection of items or information. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

22%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "possess a compilation" is grammatically sound and conveys a formal sense of ownership or control over a collected set of items or information. As highlighted by Ludwig, the phrase is deemed correct, although it isn't very common. Its formal register makes it more suitable for professional, academic, or legal contexts than for casual conversation. Alternatives such as "have a collection" or "own a compilation" may be more appropriate in less formal settings. While authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian use the phrase, its frequency is relatively low, suggesting it's a niche expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

own a collection

Focuses on ownership of a collection, replacing "possess" with a more common synonym.

have a compilation

Uses the verb "have" instead of "possess", making it more straightforward and common.

hold a compilation

Emphasizes physical or figurative holding of the compilation.

be in possession of a compilation

A more formal and legally oriented version of "possess".

maintain a compilation

Implies an ongoing effort to keep the compilation current.

command a compilation

Suggests having control or authority over the compilation.

have access to a compilation

Focuses on the ability to use the compilation, rather than ownership.

feature a compilation

Highlights the inclusion of a compilation as a characteristic or attribute.

include a compilation

Emphasizes that the compilation is part of a larger whole.

contain a compilation

Implies that something holds or houses the compilation.

FAQs

What does "possess a compilation" mean?

The phrase "possess a compilation" means to own or have control of a collection of items or information that has been gathered together. It implies a formal ownership or command over the assembled material.

What can I say instead of "possess a compilation"?

You can use alternatives like "own a collection", "have a compilation", or "hold a compilation" depending on the context.

Is "possess a compilation" suitable for informal writing?

No, "possess a compilation" is generally considered formal. In informal writing, simpler alternatives like "have a collection" or "own a compilation" are more appropriate.

How to use "possess a compilation" in a sentence?

Example usage: "To succeed in this project, you must possess a compilation of relevant research articles and data." The phrase suggests that having this collection is crucial for achieving success.