sense of possession

USAGE SUMMARY

"sense of possession" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express a feeling of ownership or control over something. For example: "The company owner had a strong sense of possession of the business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

But I was absorbed by my sense of possession.

The Guardian - Books

At the movies, loneliness in the anonymous crowd liberates fantasy and a sense of possession.

The New Yorker

My sense of possession was becoming a sense of almost auntly affection.

The New York Times

Caroline had never felt such a satisfied sense of possession and autonomy.

The New York Times - Magazine

The war of 1973, in which Israel narrowly escaped a military defeat, intensified the messianic sense of possession.

The New Yorker

He could not remember a single morning of his life when he had woken to a sense of possession.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Kryuchkov seemed perfectly capable of lying with a serene sense of self-possession and righteousness.

The New Yorker

In this competition, some of the conservative work stands out for its sense of self-possession.

The New York Times

There is a sense of self-possession about her that seems more a matter of temperament than influence.

The New Yorker

An animal so unlike the animal I am, one with such a developed sense of self-possession?

The New York Times - Magazine

But the biggest mystery is Rose, whom Ms. Mulligan plays with the same twinkling sense of self-possession and secret knowledge that she brought to "An Education".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sense of possession" to accurately convey feelings of ownership or control, especially when discussing emotional connections to objects, ideas, or relationships.

Common error

Avoid using "sense of possession" when the intended meaning is a belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or advantages. "Sense of entitlement" is more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of possession" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and examples demonstrate its role in describing feelings of ownership or control.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sense of possession" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that conveys feelings of ownership, control, or attachment. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is considered correct and is widely employed across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business writing. While similar to "sense of ownership", it can also imply control without legal ownership. When writing, remember to avoid confusing it with "sense of entitlement". When selecting related phrases such as "feeling of ownership" or "feeling of control", consider the specific nuance you want to convey to ensure precision in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling of ownership

Emphasizes the emotional aspect of owning something.

proprietary feeling

A more formal way to express a sense of ownership.

feeling of control

Focuses on the aspect of having power or authority over something.

claim of ownership

Highlights the assertion of having a right to something.

feeling of entitlement

Highlights the belief that one has a right to something.

possessive attitude

Describes a behavior characterized by a desire to control or dominate something.

attachment

Indicates a strong emotional connection to something.

feeling of belonging

Emphasizes the sense of being part of or connected to something.

mastery over

Focuses on the ability to control or manage something skillfully.

dominion over

Implies supreme authority or control.

FAQs

How can I use "sense of possession" in a sentence?

You can use "sense of possession" to describe someone's feeling of ownership or control over something. For instance: "The collector had a strong sense of possession towards his rare artifacts."

What's the difference between "sense of ownership" and "sense of possession"?

While similar, "sense of ownership" generally implies a rightful claim, whereas "sense of possession" can also suggest a feeling of control without necessarily implying legal ownership. You can use alternatives like "feeling of ownership" to emphasize the emotional aspect of owning something.

Which is the correct way to spell "possession": with one 's' or two?

The correct spelling is with two 's' characters: "possession".

What are some phrases that have a similar meaning to "sense of possession"?

Similar phrases include "feeling of control", "feeling of entitlement", and "attachment", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.