possessions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "possessions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to items or belongings that someone owns or has in their possession. Example: "After the move, I realized I had too many possessions cluttering my new home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dockers midfielder Nat Fyfe was influential with 27 possessions, eight clearances, and a goal, with his high-flying mark in the final quarter another highlight.

The Guardian - Sport

Jack Viney shadowed Ablett for most of the game and kept the dual-Brownlow medallist to 19 possessions while gathering 24 of his own.

The Guardian - Sport

In a small black rucksack he carries all his possessions: a phone, an old toothbrush, a spare pair of underpants and trousers, and a packet of paracetamol, purchased in a pound shop, to stave off the aches and pains that come from living on the streets.

The Guardian

I was just intrigued by this idea of you having no possessions, I say.

The Guardian - Film

The queen's personal fortune is estimated at £310m, plus possessions valued in billions.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it was Collingwood's usual suspects Dane Swan (31 possessions) and Steele Sidebottom (19) who ran riot, while Taylor Adams (29) and Scott Pendlebury (25) were equally impressive.

The Guardian - Sport

Midfielder Mitch Duncan (35 possessions) and skipper Joel Selwood (29 disposals and two goals) challenged Hawkins for best afield honours.

The Guardian - Sport

Brett Deledio kicked three goals and got 27 touches, while Trent Cotchin logged 29 possessions.

The Guardian - Sport

It is also because walking through Algiers is like walking through the wreckage of a recently abandoned civilisation, whose citizens have only just departed in a hurry, leaving behind them their most personal possessions which you immediately recognise.

The Guardian

It is not the story of Everyman, who on the road to death and judgment confronts the forces that have shaped his life: family, friends, material possessions, knowledge, beauty, strength, and comes to see that goodness is what should predominate.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Far from being original, I find myself part of a narrative told with increasing fluency, as a steady stream of other European and American passport holders of African descent arrive at Ghana's Kotoka International airport, collect their worldly possessions from shipping containers at Tema port and search for homes in Accra's popular residential areas – Cantonments, East Legon and the Spintex Road.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's material wealth, consider using synonyms like "assets" or "holdings" for a more formal tone.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "possessions", which are items you own, with "obsessions", which are recurring thoughts or impulses. Using the wrong word can drastically change the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The word "possessions" primarily functions as a plural noun. It refers to things owned. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Many examples from the dataset showcase its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Books

5%

Opinion

3%

World

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "possessions" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed plural noun, primarily used to signify ownership across diverse contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is both correct and widely applicable. While versatile, it's important to differentiate it from "obsessions" to avoid miscommunication. Related terms such as "belongings" or "assets" can offer nuanced alternatives, depending on the desired level of formality or specificity. The predominant usage contexts are news, media, and lifestyle, further solidifying its status as a common and neutral term in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

belongings

Focuses on personal items that belong to someone.

personal property

Emphasizes the legal aspect of ownership.

assets

Refers to items of economic value.

goods

General term for tangible items.

effects

Used especially when referring to a deceased person's belongings.

worldly goods

Highlights the material nature of possessions.

chattels

A legal term for movable personal property.

holdings

Suggests a more formal or investment-related ownership.

property

A broad term including land and buildings as well as personal items.

acquisitions

Implies something newly obtained.

FAQs

How to use "possessions" in a sentence?

You can use "possessions" to refer to the items someone owns, as in, "She packed all her "belongings" into a suitcase."

What can I say instead of "possessions"?

You can use alternatives like "belongings", "personal property", or "assets" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "possessions" and "property"?

"Possessions" typically refers to movable items, while "property" can include land and buildings in addition to personal items. Property is a more general term.

Is it correct to say "personal possessions"?

Yes, "personal possessions" is a correct and commonly used phrase that emphasizes the personal nature of the items owned.