under their possession

USAGE SUMMARY

'under their possession' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe something that someone has control or ownership of. For example, "The documents were placed under their possession for safekeeping."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Near downtown, two bundled-up homeless men emerged from under a bridge, carrying their possessions in plastic bags.

The New York Times

All three families are now homeless, their possessions buried under rubble: the city's wreckers gave them no time to retrieve furnishings.Housing demolitions are nothing new to Jerusalem's Palestinian residents.

The Economist

Split end Tavarres King was charged with under-age possession of alcohol.

The New York Times

The Sixers missed three off-balance shots on their final possession with under 30 seconds to play, including a 3-point attempt by Eric Snow that would have tied the score.

The New York Times - Sports

In 1942, Korematsu was one of thousands of American citizens of Japanese descent who were forced to leave their homes and most of their worldly possessions under Executive Order No. 9066.

Huffington Post

Some also fell under the possession of Mugabe's cronies.

Independent

The region gradually came under Dutch possession, except for British occupation briefly in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

What: Everything on your computer should be stored on a physically separate hard drive under your possession.

The Guardian - Tech

St Helena has been under British possession since the East India Company was given permission to govern by Oliver Cromwell in 1657.

Independent

England have had under 50% possession in all six matches under Roy Hodgson - they had over 50% in all four games at the 2010 World Cup.

BBC

However, Salsette, Bassein, Mazagaon, Parel, Worli, Sion, Dharavi, and Wadala still remained under Portuguese possession.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under their possession", ensure that the context clearly indicates who "they" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For formal writing, consider stronger synonyms like "custody" or "jurisdiction" for increased precision.

Common error

Avoid using "under their possession" in casual conversation. It sounds overly formal and can be replaced with simpler phrases like "they have" or "they own".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under their possession" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate the state of being controlled or owned by someone. Ludwig AI indicates that is a valid and grammaticaly correct construct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "under their possession" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate control or ownership. While Ludwig confirms its validity, its frequency is currently missing in Ludwig's database. More suitable alternatives include "in their custody", "under their control", or simpler phrases like "they have" or "they own" especially in informal contexts. The phrase tends toward a more neutral to formal register and should be used carefully to avoid sounding overly verbose. Always consider the context and desired level of formality when choosing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in their custody

This phrase emphasizes the aspect of care and control, especially in legal or protective contexts.

under their control

Focuses on the power and authority they wield over something.

in their keeping

Highlights the responsibility of safekeeping and maintaining something.

within their grasp

Emphasizes accessibility and potential for utilization.

at their disposal

Highlights availability and readiness for use.

under their jurisdiction

Relates to legal authority and the right to govern.

under their domain

Emphasizes ownership and control within a specific sphere or area.

in their hands

Focuses on direct management and handling.

under their authority

Focuses on legitimate power and the right to command.

belonging to them

Simple and direct way to express ownership.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the sentence "under their possession"?

You can rephrase "under their possession" using alternatives such as "in their custody", "under their control", or "at their disposal" depending on the specific context.

What is a more formal way to say "under their possession"?

A more formal way to say "under their possession" could be "under their jurisdiction" or "under their authority", which imply a legal or official context.

Is there a simpler alternative to "under their possession"?

Yes, you can use simpler alternatives like "they have" or "they own" instead of "under their possession" to make your writing more straightforward and less formal.

What is the difference between "under their possession" and "belonging to them"?

"Under their possession" implies control and responsibility, whereas "belonging to them" simply indicates ownership. The former suggests a deeper level of management or safekeeping.