regain possession

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "regain possession" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is trying to recover or take back something that was lost or taken away. Example: "After a lengthy legal battle, the family was finally able to regain possession of their ancestral home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Chelsea quickly regain possession.

The Guardian - Sport

Many people "returned" only to regain possession of their property, which they then sold.

The Economist

England regain possession... and whack it back to Hart from the half-way line.

The Guardian - Sport

But the shot was ruled a 2-pointer, and Kennedy had to foul to regain possession.

The New York Times - Sports

England's line-out is messy, though, and they do well to regain possession.

The Guardian - Sport

When he loses the ball he gets his head down, chases back and works hard to try and regain possession".

Independent

In many cases a landlord will have to go to court to regain possession of their property.

Independent

For him defending is less about marking or reacting to opponents than about pressing to regain possession.

The Guardian - Sport

England regain possession through Tait again, but Kearney is having none of it and stops Flutey in his tracks.

The Guardian - Sport

This is the notice a landlord can give to a tenant to regain possession of a property at the end of an AST or during a periodic tenancy.

Independent

After the war, several European countries retained custody of treasures that had been looted from private families who subsequently tried to regain possession of their works.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "regain possession", consider the specific context to ensure it accurately reflects the nature of what is being recovered. For physical items, it's highly appropriate. For abstract concepts such as power, consider alternatives like "recover control".

Common error

Avoid using "regain possession" when referring to abstract concepts like emotional states or relationships. Instead, opt for phrases like "recover" or "rebuild" to better suit the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "regain possession" functions as a verb phrase often used as the predicate of a sentence. It describes the action of getting something back into one's control or ownership, as Ludwig's examples clearly illustrate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

22%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "regain possession" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the action of getting something back. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it's most commonly found in news and media contexts. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it versatile for various writing styles. While it's generally safe to use, be mindful of the context, particularly when dealing with abstract concepts, where alternatives like "recover control" might be more fitting. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of the expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

retrieve possession

Highlights the act of actively getting something back, often implying effort.

resume possession

Implies a continuation of possession after an interruption, focusing on the act of taking up again.

reclaim possession

Emphasizes the right to get something back, suggesting a sense of entitlement.

regain ownership

Specifically refers to recovering the legal right or title to something.

retake possession

Suggests a more forceful or assertive action to regain control.

regain property

Focuses on the act of recovering physical or real estate.

recover control

Broader in scope, referring to the recovery of power or authority, not necessarily physical items.

win back

Implies regaining something after a loss or competition.

reacquire control

More formal term indicating the re-establishment of control or authority.

get back

A more informal and general way to express recovering something.

FAQs

What does "regain possession" mean?

The phrase "regain possession" means to get something back that you have lost or that has been taken from you. This can refer to physical objects like property, or abstract concepts like control or power.

How can I use "regain possession" in a sentence?

You can use "regain possession" in a sentence like this: "After a lengthy legal battle, the family was finally able to "regain possession" of their ancestral home."

What are some alternatives to "regain possession"?

Some alternatives to "regain possession" include "resume possession", "retrieve possession", or "reclaim possession", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "recover control" instead of "regain possession"?

Use "recover control" instead of "regain possession" when referring to regaining power, authority, or influence. For example, "The company is working to "recover control" of the market share."