that possessed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that possessed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has ownership or control over something else, often in a figurative or literary context. Example: "The ancient artifact was said to be cursed, holding a power that possessed the minds of those who dared to touch it."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He later discovered the partial skeleton of an adult female, labeled MH2, that possessed similar features.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The logic of tragedy that possessed him demanded an insistence upon the latter.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He also later discovered the partial skeleton of an adult female that possessed similar features.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Shortly thereafter, Berger discovered the partial skeleton of an adult female that possessed similar features.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Writing became a way to free himself of the "ugly spirit" that possessed him.

The Guardian - Books

And who had ever seen such a physiognomy as that possessed by Phineas Breeley?

The New Yorker

All this would be quite superfluous in an age or culture that possessed symbols".

The Guardian - Opinion

He expressed the opinion that knowledge of the future, including that possessed by God himself, is probabilistic in nature.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Finally, they lend themselves to process technology similar to that possessed by plastics.

TechCrunch

We selected 664 from 5184 F2 recombinant plants that possessed chromosomal recombination within these two markers.

Rice

Factor analysis confirmed the existence of three distinct scales that possessed high reliability.

International Journal of Human-Computer Studies

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that possessed" to add a formal or literary tone to your writing when describing attributes or characteristics. It often works well when describing historical or abstract concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "that possessed" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "that had" or "which owned" may be more appropriate for everyday language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that possessed" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun by providing additional information about its attributes or characteristics. It connects to the main clause and specifies a quality the noun had. As Ludwig AI says, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

22%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that possessed" serves as a formal relative clause used to describe a quality or characteristic of a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used. While versatile, it's best suited for formal, scientific, or literary contexts where a more refined tone is desired. Remember to consider simpler alternatives like "which owned" or "that had" for everyday language to prevent overuse in informal settings. Its prevalence in academic and news sources underscores its acceptability and usefulness in professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which owned

Uses "owned" to convey possession, offering a more direct and common alternative.

that had

Simplifies the phrasing using "had" to indicate possession, suitable for less formal contexts.

which featured

Emphasizes inclusion or a prominent attribute rather than direct possession.

that included

Focuses on the inclusion of something as a characteristic or component.

that comprised

Highlights composition or the elements forming something.

that exhibited

Stresses the display or manifestation of a particular quality or attribute.

which demonstrated

Similar to 'exhibited', but with a stronger implication of showing something actively.

that displayed

Similar to "exhibited", focusing on visual representation or showing.

which bore

A more formal way to indicate carrying or having a characteristic.

that retained

Implies maintaining possession over time, suggesting a more enduring quality.

FAQs

How can I use "that possessed" in a sentence?

You can use "that possessed" to describe something which had a particular attribute or quality. For example, "The ancient artifact was said to have a power "that possessed" the minds of those who dared to touch it."

What are some alternatives to "that possessed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "which owned", "that had", or "which featured", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "that possessed" formal or informal?

"That possessed" tends to be more formal and literary. In informal contexts, phrases like "that had" are generally preferred.

What's the difference between "that possessed" and "that had"?

"That possessed" implies a stronger, often more controlling or significant ownership or attribute than "that had". The choice depends on the desired tone and context.