retain possession

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retain possession" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that someone continues to hold or keep something, such as property or rights. Example: "The tenant is required to retain possession of the property until the lease agreement is officially terminated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He or she also possesses the job to pass down the pool accurately in order to retain possession of the ball, often starting the team's counterattack.

Wikipedia

But Florida needed a Georgia mistake to retain possession.

The New York Times - Sports

They can retain possession but always have an outlet.

The Guardian - Sport

In midfield, Madrid must retain possession much better than in the first leg.

The New York Times

An inability to slow the contest down and retain possession was the issue.

The Guardian - Sport

4 min: First line-out to England, it's a sloppy one but they retain possession.

The Guardian - Sport

Australia retain possession and kick ahead, but again Yarde can call the mark.

The Guardian - Sport

Egypt retain possession easily and England chase them for a bit.

The Guardian - Sport

Hamburg regroup quickly to kill the momentum but Fulham retain possession.

The Guardian - Sport

Gold Coast's ball use heading forward and their ability to retain possession is the potential hitch.

The Guardian - Sport

It's cleared but Mexico retain possession and force another corner... 5.23am BST Peep We're off again.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "retain possession" when you specifically want to emphasize the continuation of holding something, especially in contexts where there might be a challenge or risk of losing it. For example, "The company sought to retain possession of its intellectual property."

Common error

Avoid using "retain possession" in overly casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "keep" or "hold onto" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retain possession" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "retain" acts as a transitive verb, taking "possession" as its direct object. This phrase describes the action of keeping or continuing to hold something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "retain possession" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that signifies the continuation of holding or controlling something. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is found across various contexts, most notably in news and media, lending itself to both formal and neutral registers. While "retain possession" is suitable for precise and strategic communication, simpler alternatives might be preferable in more casual settings. The phrase is useful in describing scenarios where maintaining control requires effort or is under potential threat.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep possession

A simpler form of "retain possession", focusing on maintaining rather than regaining.

maintain control

Focuses on the act of maintaining control, which is a broader concept than just possession.

keep hold of

Implies a physical or immediate control over something.

hold onto

Similar to "keep hold of", emphasizing a firm grip or control.

preserve ownership

Emphasizes the legal aspect of maintaining ownership rights.

maintain custody

Focuses on the act of having legal or physical custody of something.

secure possession

Highlights the act of obtaining and ensuring possession.

not relinquish control

Emphasizes the act of preventing the loss of control.

hang on to

Informal way to express keeping something, often against a force or challenge.

defend ownership

Highlights the act of protecting ownership against challenges.

FAQs

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

You can use "retain possession" to indicate that someone or something continues to hold or keep something, often against a challenge. For instance, "The team fought hard to retain possession of the ball" or "The company worked to retain possession of its assets".

What's a simpler way to say "retain possession"?

Alternatives include "keep possession", "maintain control", or "hold onto" depending on the context. These options might be more suitable for informal situations.

Is there a difference between "retain possession" and "maintain possession"?

While similar, "retain possession" often implies regaining or continuing to hold something that was at risk of being lost. "Maintain possession" simply means to continue holding something without necessarily implying a prior threat to that possession.

In what contexts is "retain possession" most appropriate?

"Retain possession" is well-suited for formal, legal, or strategic contexts where the act of keeping something is significant and may involve effort or challenge. Examples include legal documents, sports commentary, or business strategies.