possessive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "possessive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a grammatical case that indicates ownership or a relationship between nouns. Example: "In the phrase 'Sarah's book,' the word 'Sarah's' is possessive, indicating that the book belongs to Sarah."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

In genitive constructions, a genitive suffix mostly marks the possessor and a possessive suffix the possessed object e.g., Uzbek ådäm-ning üy-i 'the man's house' (literally 'man-of house-his').

Encyclopedia Britannica

Kin terms are routinely conjugated for the person (first, second, third) of their possessor, even in languages that otherwise lack possessive markers on the possessed noun, or else show stem-replacement (suppletion) based on the person of an implied possessor: (my/our) Pop, (your) Dad, (his/her/their) father.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They seemed suspicious of fame and possessive of an angular indie sound that, while impressively taut, carried little emotional weight.

The Guardian - Music

But the players themselves treat their virtual goods as if they were real and can become extremely possessive about them.

The Economist

Screenwriting allowed her to read and re-read the books she loved, and to exercise her art without the possessive, parental dread she felt when she launched her novels on the world.

The Economist

In it, all nouns are marked for case, an ending that tells what function the word has in a sentence (subject, direct object, possessive and so on).

The Economist

Leigh Fermor was never close to his father, an austere, distinguished civil servant, and he found his mother's tendency to veer between possessive love and complete neglect destabilising.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Most of "The Castle in the Forest" is dedicated to the bee-keeping habits and lusty philandering of his father, Alois, while Adolf lurks ominously in the background: a needy, ill-humoured child, harbouring an over-possessive love for his mother and a penchant for war games.

The Economist

Nouns in Romanian have two cases, direct (nominative-objective) and oblique (possessive-dative), and have separate singular and plural forms for the noun standing alone and the noun with the definite article suffixed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This is followed by mastery of the irregular past tense ("I made," "I had"), possessives (my, mine, his), articles (a, an, the), and the regular past tense ("I walked," "he stopped").

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a similar vein it is hard to overlook the fact that possessives in languages like Italian typically deploy definite determiners ('la mia machina') without forcing the reading that I own only one car.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing emotional states, consider the intensity of "possessive". It ranges from a normal sense of ownership to an unhealthy clinging, so choose your words carefully to reflect the intended nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "possessive" when you mean "possibility". "Possessive" relates to ownership, while "possibility" refers to something that might happen. Double-check your writing to ensure you're using the correct term.

Linguistic Context

The word "possessive" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate ownership, origin, or a strong desire to retain possession. For example, Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing someone as "possessive of an angular indie sound" or in relation to grammar, as in "possessive suffixes".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

30%

News & Media

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "possessive" is commonly used as an adjective to denote ownership, control, or a grammatical function indicating possession. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable, appearing in varied contexts from academic discussions of language to news reports on personal behavior. While generally neutral in register, understanding its nuances is crucial: it can range from simple ownership to an excessive, sometimes negative, clinging. Therefore, choose synonyms like "ownership" or "controlling" with careful consideration of the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ownership

Focuses specifically on the state or fact of owning something.

having control of

Highlights the aspect of exercising control over something, not necessarily owning it.

custodial

Emphasizes the act of guarding and protecting something.

retentive

Highlights the ability or tendency to keep or hold onto something.

controlling

Indicates dominance or authority over someone or something.

proprietorial

Relates to the rights and responsibilities of a proprietor or owner.

protective

Stresses the act of shielding or safeguarding something.

acquisitive

Focuses on the desire to acquire and accumulate possessions.

selfish

Highlights a concern primarily with one's own advantage or well-being.

monopolizing

Implies exclusive control or domination, preventing others from accessing or using something.

FAQs

How is the term "possessive" used in grammar?

In grammar, "possessive" indicates ownership or belonging. For instance, in "John's car", "John's" is a "genitive case", showing that the car belongs to John.

When is it appropriate to describe someone as "possessive"?

Describing someone as "possessive" suggests they are protective of their relationships or belongings, sometimes to an excessive degree. Consider whether alternatives like "protective" or "jealous" might be more accurate depending on the context.

Can "possessive" be used to describe a thing rather than a person?

Yes, "possessive" can describe a thing. For example, you might say, "Copyright law makes content owners more "acquisitive" and "protective" of their digital property."

What are common synonyms for "possessive" in everyday language?

Common synonyms include "controlling", ""jealous"", and ""protective"", each carrying slightly different connotations. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.