retained possession

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retained possession" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that someone has kept or maintained ownership or control over an item or property. Example: "The tenant retained possession of the apartment despite the landlord's attempts to evict them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Moore retained possession of the cup in 1862 with the victory of his mare Idlewind.

The New York Times

Under leaseback, sovereignty went to Argentina but Britain retained possession under a long lease.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Patriots retained possession; the Raiders were ultimately sunk by two field goals by Adam Vinatieri.

The New York Times - Sports

Again, he prompted an attack and, for once, England retained possession.

The Guardian - Sport

The Golden Eagles retained possession and Cincinnati fouled West with 7.9 seconds left.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, the Terrapins retained possession and worked the clock for a final shot.

The Washington Post

Missouri retained possession, and Marcus Denmon converted a layup on the inbounds play.

The New York Times

By the Russo-Turkish Peace of Constantinople (Istanbul, 1700) he retained possession of Azov.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The survey also found that nearly 98 percent of employers retained possession of their employees' passports.

The New York Times

The Tigers almost stole the ensuing inbounds pass, but Harvard retained possession, and the visitors never got closer.

Princeton University

Concentrating primarily on the avoidance of further punishment, Kilmarnock retained possession well in the opening phase after the break.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or historical contexts, "retained possession" is a precise term for indicating continued ownership or control after a change or event. Use it to clearly establish that possession was not lost.

Common error

Avoid using "retained possession" when describing temporary control or borrowing. The phrase implies a more permanent or sustained holding of something. Use terms like "had", "held briefly", or "was in control of temporarily" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retained possession" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate in a sentence. It indicates that a subject maintained control or ownership of something after a specific event or period. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

14%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "retained possession" is a versatile and common expression used to indicate the continuation of ownership or control. Ludwig AI analysis of numerous examples shows it appearing frequently in news, encyclopedias and wikis. While grammatically correct and appropriate in various contexts, it's important to use it accurately, particularly when discussing sustained holding rather than temporary control. Related phrases like "maintained ownership" or "kept control of" can offer alternative ways to express similar ideas with slightly different nuances. Its usage indicates a more formal tone, lending itself well to discussions of legal, historical, or official matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remained in possession of

A more formal and emphatic way of saying "retained possession".

kept control of

Focuses more on the act of controlling something, subtly different from merely possessing it.

stayed in control of

Similar to "kept control of", but emphasizing continuity of control.

maintained ownership of

Specifically emphasizes the legal aspect of ownership, versus physical possession.

preserved control over

Highlights the effort to maintain control, implying a potential challenge.

continued to hold

Emphasizes the uninterrupted nature of possession.

held onto

A more informal way of saying "retained possession", implying a desire not to lose something.

kept a hold of

A colloquial alternative, suggesting a firm grip on something, either literally or figuratively.

did not relinquish

Focuses on the active choice not to give something up.

held fast to

Implies a strong determination to keep possession, often in the face of adversity.

FAQs

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

You can use "retained possession" to indicate that someone or something kept control or ownership after a certain event. For example, "Despite the legal challenges, the company "retained possession" of its assets."

What's a formal alternative to "retained possession"?

A formal alternative to "retained possession" is "maintained ownership". This phrase emphasizes the legal right to own something even after a challenge or change.

Is there a difference between "retained possession" and "regained possession"?

"Retained possession" means to keep something continuously, while "regained possession" implies that something was lost and then recovered.

Which is more appropriate, "retained possession of" or "retained in possession of"?

"Retained possession of" is more common and generally preferred. "Retained in possession of" is grammatically correct but less concise.