take possession of

USAGE SUMMARY

'take possession of' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone acquiring something, either through buying it, being given it, or taking it by force. For example, "John took possession of the house after his grandfather passed away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They take possession of their subjects.

The Guardian - Books

Thus, the useless or untrained memories will not take possession of the space.

Neurocomputing

They need to take possession of it for themselves.

The New York Times

Alexandra del Lago must take possession of the stage.

The New York Times

Moreover, the products exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity and take possession of good stability and reusability under visible light.

Catalysis Communications

Why was he unable to take possession of the world's bounties?

The New Yorker

I gave in to it, let the odor caress my senses and take possession of me".

The New York Times

Related bought the building's mortgage in 2011 and then angled to take possession of the property.

The New York Times

tries over the long term to replicate silver's return without having to take possession of bullion.

The New York Times

The victory strengthened al-Shabaab, allowing fighters to take possession of arsenals belonging to the warlords.

Encyclopedia Britannica

§ 166.212 When may a permittee take possession of permitted Indian land?

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take possession of", ensure the context clearly indicates the manner and legality of acquisition. It's suitable for describing both formal transfers and forceful seizures.

Common error

Avoid using "take possession of" when you mean simply "have possession of". "Take possession of" describes the act of acquiring something, not the state of already possessing it. If the state of already possessing it is the purpose of the sentence, prefer alternatives like "having custody of" or "being in control of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take possession of" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the act of acquiring or assuming control, ownership, or custody of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a common and correct expression used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take possession of" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the act of acquiring something. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a correct and common expression. The phrase appears frequently in news, science, encyclopedias, and academic writing. While it can denote legal transfers, it can also describe forceful seizures. When using "take possession of", be sure to distinguish it from "have possession of", which refers to the state of possessing something rather than the act of acquiring it. Consider related phrases such as "assume ownership of", "acquire control of", and "seize control of" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assume ownership of

Focuses on the legal aspect of acquiring ownership.

acquire control of

Emphasizes gaining control rather than necessarily owning.

seize control of

Implies a more forceful and sudden acquisition of control.

gain custody of

Refers to obtaining legal guardianship or care.

lay claim to

Highlights the act of asserting a right to something.

take into custody

Specifies the act of being arrested.

step into the shoes of

Metaphorically taking over a role or position.

inherit

Acquiring something through legal succession.

usurp

Illegally or forcefully seizing power or control.

arrogate to oneself

Taking or claiming something without justification.

FAQs

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

You can use "take possession of" to describe the act of acquiring something, whether legally, by force, or through inheritance. For example, "The company will "assume control of" the new factory next month".

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "assume ownership of", "acquire control of", or "seize control of".

Is it correct to say "tooken possession of"?

No, "tooken" is not the correct past participle of "take". The correct form is "taken". Therefore, the correct phrase is "taken possession of".

What is the difference between "take possession of" and "take control of"?

"Take possession of" often implies acquiring ownership or physical control, while "take control of" generally refers to assuming authority or management, regardless of ownership. You can "acquire control of" something, without "assume ownership of" it.