time of possession

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "time of possession" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in sports contexts to refer to the amount of time a team controls the ball during a game. Example: "The final score was close, but the team with the higher time of possession ultimately won the match."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Time of possession: 10 51 to :56.

The New York Times

They rank 25th in time of possession.

The New York Times - Sports

Time of possession huge today.

The Guardian - Sport

Against Seattle our offense dominated the time of possession.

The New Yorker

That's despite having fewer first downs, yards and losing the time of possession battle.

The New York Times

The lack of a strong running game also limits their ability to control time of possession.

The New York Times

Without Jacobs as a counterbalance, the 49ers could dominate time of possession.

The New York Times

The Jets dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 37 minutes 52 seconds.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

They won the time-of-possession battle.

The Washington Post

The 49ers also held a time-of-possession advantage over the Dolphins of 37:11 to 22 49.

Los Angeles Times

Savio's prowess helped Loyola win the time-of-possession department, especially in the last two quarters when the Hoyas attempted to make a comeback.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When analyzing sports statistics, use "time of possession" to highlight a team's ability to maintain control of the ball, as it often correlates with strategic advantages and scoring opportunities.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a high "time of possession" automatically guarantees victory. While it can be a significant factor, other elements like scoring efficiency and defensive strength also play crucial roles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time of possession" functions primarily as a noun phrase that quantifies the duration of control over an object or resource. Ludwig AI confirms its common use in sports and technical contexts. It serves as a subject or object in sentences describing game statistics, strategic advantages, or technical specifications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "time of possession" is a very common noun phrase primarily used in sports and some technical contexts to quantify control duration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While it's a valuable statistic, it's essential to avoid misinterpreting correlation for causation, acknowledging that other factors also significantly influence outcomes. Alternatives include "ball control duration" or "period of dominance", providing similar semantic weight. The phrase is primarily used in news and media, with neutral to formal register depending on context. Finally, remember that while high "time of possession" is often advantageous, scoring efficiency and defense remain key to success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possession time

A simple inversion of the words, preserving the core meaning with minimal change.

time held

A shorter, more direct way of saying "time of possession", focusing simply on the duration of holding something.

time in control

This alternative rephrases "of possession" as "in control", highlighting the state of being in control.

ball control duration

This alternative uses "ball control" instead of "possession" and "duration" instead of "time", providing a more concise phrasing.

control timeframe

Replaces "time" with "timeframe" to indicate the period of control.

length of control

This phrase emphasizes the duration of the control, focusing on the period for which something is held or managed.

length of holding

This phrase specifies the length or duration of the act of holding.

duration of ownership

This highlights the aspect of ownership or holding something for a certain duration.

period of dominance

This alternative focuses on the dominance or control exerted during a specific time frame.

duration of occupancy

This alternative uses "occupancy" to denote possession, often used in more formal or technical contexts.

FAQs

How is "time of possession" calculated in sports?

In most sports, "time of possession" is calculated by tracking the amount of time a team or player has control of the ball or other relevant object during a game. This is often measured from the moment they gain control until they lose it to the opposing team.

Why is "time of possession" an important statistic?

"Time of possession" can indicate which team is controlling the pace of the game and limiting the opponent's scoring opportunities. A significant advantage in "ball control duration" often suggests strategic dominance.

What factors can influence a team's "time of possession"?

Factors influencing "time of possession" include a strong running game, efficient passing, successful third-down conversions, and a solid defense that forces turnovers. Poor tackling can reduce it.

Is it always better to have a higher "time of possession"?

Not necessarily. While a higher "time of possession" can be advantageous, it's not a guarantee of victory. A team with less "length of control" but greater scoring efficiency can still win.