retained possession of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retained possession of" 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 something. Example: "Despite the ongoing dispute, the company retained possession of the intellectual property."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

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

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

But Poland, which retained possession of the Lithuanian lands it had seized, had greater representation in the Diet and became the dominant partner.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Last year, he retained possession of the Claret Jug by reeling in Norman on the final day at Royal Birkdale and later became the first European to win the U.S. P.G.A. Championship, too.

The New York Times - Sports

In England, where the practice was most popular, a boy bishop was elected on December 6 the feast of St. Nicholas, the patron of children and retained possession of his office through the Feast of the Holy Innocents.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 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

He insisted that "under no circumstances" would North Korea be allowed to retain possession of nuclear weapons.

The New York Times

Those included Germany's retaining possession of Alsace and Lorraine, a position that had Kessler's full-throated endorsement.

The New York Times - Books

"At home you've got to take the responsibility to retain possession of the ball and see the game out.

Independent

Meanwhile, RMS will retain possession of the items, which its parent company, Premier Exhibitions Inc., has been displaying around the world.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or formal contexts, use "retained possession of" to clearly indicate the continuous holding of property or rights. This usage is especially pertinent in contracts, historical accounts, and official reports.

Common error

Avoid using "retained possession of" when describing temporary custody or safekeeping. This phrase implies ongoing ownership or control, not just a brief period of holding. For temporary holding, use phrases like "held temporarily" or "had in custody".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retained possession of" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a clause. It indicates the subject's continued control or ownership over something. Ludwig AI shows examples where it describes holding property, territory, or even abstract rights.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

37%

Encyclopedias

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "retained possession of" is a verb phrase used to describe the continued control or ownership of something. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and commonly found in news, encyclopedias, and wikis, signifying its widespread applicability. While offering various alternatives like "maintained control over" or "kept ownership of", it's important to use the phrase when the context specifically demands a continuous holding or control. Remember to avoid using it for temporary situations. The register of the phrase is considered neutral.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintained control over

Emphasizes ongoing control rather than just initial possession.

kept ownership of

Focuses specifically on maintaining legal ownership.

held onto

More informal, suggesting a tenacious grip on something.

preserved control of

Highlights the act of actively preserving control.

continued to hold

Stresses the continuation of holding something.

remained in control of

Similar to 'maintained control', emphasizing state of being in control

did not relinquish

Focuses on the action of not giving something up.

secured ownership

Emphasizes that the ownership is secured.

held in custody

Highlights physical control or guardianship of something or someone.

kept a hold of

An informal way of saying that someone continued to possess something.

FAQs

What does "retained possession of" mean?

The phrase "retained possession of" means to have kept or continued to hold something. It implies maintaining control, ownership, or custody of an item, property, or right.

What can I say instead of "retained possession of"?

You can use alternatives like "maintained control over", "kept ownership of", or "held onto" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "retained possession of"?

It is appropriate to use "retained possession of" when describing the continuation of ownership or control, especially in legal, historical, or formal contexts where precision is important.

Is "retained possession of" formal language?

Yes, "retained possession of" is considered formal language. In more casual contexts, you might use phrases like "kept a hold of" or "held onto".