possess of

USAGE SUMMARY

"possess of" is not a correct and usable phrase in written English.
Instead, you can use the phrase "in possession of" or simply the verb "possess." For example, "The boy possessed a secret."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The resulting nanocomposites possess of magnetism and electrochemical activity.

Electrochimica Acta

MARINA DI Leuca, Italy - SOME years ago I came to possess, of all things, a husband.

The New York Times

"Some years ago I came to possess, of all things, a husband," Ms. Hamilton once wrote.

The New York Times - Food

But this obscure piece of legislation offers us the best hope we will ever possess of defending our public services from bankruptcy and collapse.

The Guardian

And it asks us to mull a notion broader than some people may possess of just what constitutes "persecution".

The New York Times

Mr. Mitchell was charged with rape, assault, predatory sex act, criminal sex act, robbery and criminal possess of stolen property.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Aristotle: possessed of an indefatigable curiosity.

The New York Times - Books

He was possessed of seemingly inexhaustible energy.

The Economist

Can non-humans be possessed of it?

The Economist

Possessed of brilliance, wit, wisdom and spirituality.

The New York Times

Everyone seemed possessed of a stony calm.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "possess of" in your writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "possess", "be in possession of", or "have".

Common error

Many writers mistakenly use "of" after "possess", creating an ungrammatical construction. Remember that "possess" directly takes an object without needing a preposition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possess of" is an incorrect prepositional phrase. As Ludwig AI points out, the verb "possess" directly takes an object without the need for the preposition "of".

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "possess of" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in writing. As Ludwig AI clearly states, the correct form is simply "possess" followed by the object. Alternatives such as "be in possession of" or the verb "have" can be used depending on the context. Remembering this distinction will improve the clarity and correctness of your writing. Pay attention to not use "of" after "possess".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Have

A simple alternative referring to ownership, knowledge, qualities, etc.

Be in possession of

This alternative specifies a state of ownership or control, similar to having something.

Have ownership of

This explicitly denotes legal or rightful possession.

Be the owner of

Directly states that someone has ownership.

Be endowed with

Implies being naturally or inherently given a quality or trait.

Have knowledge of

Refers to understanding or awareness of something.

Be aware of

Focuses on the consciousness or realization of a fact or situation.

Be characterized by

Describes something having a distinctive trait or feature.

Exhibit the quality of

Highlights the demonstration or display of a certain characteristic.

Demonstrate

Show the presence of a quality or ability.

FAQs

Is "possess of" grammatically correct?

No, "possess of" is not grammatically correct. The correct usage is simply "possess" followed by the object. For example, instead of "possess of knowledge", you should say "possess knowledge".

What can I say instead of "possess of"?

Instead of "possess of", you can use alternatives like "have", "be in possession of", or simply "possess" depending on the intended meaning.

Which is correct, "possess of" or "possess"?

"Possess" is the correct form. "Possess of" is grammatically incorrect. You should always use "possess" directly followed by the object you are referring to.

How can I use "possess" correctly in a sentence?

To use "possess" correctly, follow it directly with the object. For example: "She possesses great intelligence", or "They possess a valuable artifact".