possess the class

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "possess the class" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward in certain contexts.
It could be used in a context discussing ownership or control over a particular class or category, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "In order to succeed in this course, you must possess the class of knowledge required for advanced mathematics."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Sutherland's horse, Game On Dude, was a run-early type who figured to press a wicked pace but was not thought to possess the class to hold off Uncle Mo, a former 2-year-old champion, let alone hold his own against the filly Havre de Grace, the European invader So You Think, and America's best older horse, Flat Out.

The New York Times - Sports

The licence could also allow them to produce, supply, offer to supply and possess the Class B drug.

BBC

The licence could also allow them to possess the Class B drug providing it is for their personal medicinal use.

BBC

The co-existing hosts for these Podoviridae also possess the class II nrdJ gene, creating the possibility that by encoding nrdJ, these phages gain a competitive advantage in the nutrient-limited marine environment.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The 51-year-old from Roper Street had pleaded guilty to supplying heroin, possessing the class A drug with intent to supply, and possession.

BBC

Appearing in the dock today, the 59-year-old admitted possessing the class A drug and was fined a total of £780.

Independent

Our DNA microarray analysis demonstrated that all of GBS-associated strains possessed the class A LOS whereas only 17% (4 of 24) of the enteritis-control strains also possessed this class of LOS.

Plosone

More specifically, strains possessing the class A locus have been shown to express an LOS outer core that mimics gangliosides [23] [25], and the occurrence of the class A locus has been correlated strongly with GBS-associated strains [8], [9], [26], [27].

Plosone

These features showed that SNUDS-1 possessed the class A mec complex.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

One hundred percent of patients with severe reactions possessed the class I antigen HLA B58, whereas in the control population, the frequency of the antigen was 15% [ 37].

Arthritis Research and Therapy

In the absence of firm data to identify which protein is directly responsible for fusion, it has been predicted that E2 fulfills this role and possesses the class II fusion fold (Garry and Dash, 2003; Kielian, 2006) that harbors a membrane distal fusion loop (rich in hydrophobic residues) and is composed of three globular domains.

Cell Reports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "possess the class", ensure the context clearly indicates ownership, inclusion, or characteristic similarity. The phrase is more formal and should be used where that tone is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "possess the class" in everyday conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "have the class" or "belong to the class" are often more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possess the class" functions as a verb phrase where "possess" is the verb indicating ownership or attribute, and "the class" is the object. As Ludwig suggests, while grammatically correct, it might sound awkward depending on the context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "possess the class" is grammatically sound, but its usage is relatively rare and often sounds formal. According to Ludwig, it's crucial to consider the context when using this phrase; simpler alternatives like "have the class" or "belong to the class" might be more appropriate in informal settings. Ludwig's examples indicate that "possess the class" finds its place in news, scientific, and formal contexts, highlighting ownership, membership, or characteristic similarity. While authoritative sources like The New York Times and BBC do employ it, understanding the nuances of its usage ensures clarity and stylistic appropriateness in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have the class

Replaces "possess" with the more common verb "have", indicating ownership or membership.

own the class

Uses "own" to emphasize a sense of mastery or dominance within the class.

belong to the class

Focuses on membership and inclusion within the specified class.

be a member of the class

More explicitly states the relationship as one of membership.

fall into the class

Indicates categorization or classification within the class.

be included in the class

Emphasizes the act of being part of the class.

be characterized as the class

Shifts the focus to describing something as belonging to the class.

demonstrate the qualities of the class

Highlights the exhibition of traits associated with the class.

embody the essence of the class

Suggests a deeper, more representative connection to the class.

exhibit the properties of the class

Similar to "demonstrate the qualities", but more formal and technical.

FAQs

What does "possess the class" mean?

The phrase "possess the class" can refer to owning the qualities or characteristics of a certain class, being a member of that class, or having mastery over the knowledge related to that class. The exact meaning depends on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "possess the class"?

It is appropriate to use "possess the class" in formal contexts or when you want to emphasize ownership or mastery. In more casual situations, alternatives like "have the class" or "belong to the class" might be more suitable.

What are some alternatives to "possess the class"?

You can use alternatives such as "have the class", "own the class", or "belong to the class" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is "possess the class" grammatically correct?

Yes, "possess the class" is grammatically correct, but it is less common than other phrases with similar meanings. It's important to consider the context and audience when choosing whether to use this phrase.