upon gaining possession

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon gaining possession" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the moment or condition when someone acquires or takes control of something. Example: "Upon gaining possession of the artifact, the museum staff began the process of restoration."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the N.B.A., a team has 24 seconds from gaining possession to take a shot.

The New York Times

Like a well-drilled soccer team, the winning bidders have managed to keep their rivals from gaining possession.

The New York Times

(This increase indicates that a 'lolly-gag strategy,' in which a leading team in possession intentionally runs down the clock to prevent the trailing team from gaining possession, is a relatively rare occurrence).

EPJ Data Science

The Midshipmen committed a season-high 18 turnovers, often throwing the ball away shortly after gaining possession.

Los Angeles Times

We were gaining possession and working the ball, and we executed and put our shots away".

The New York Times

Martinez kept playing, gaining possession as no whistle was blown.

Los Angeles Times

I hope to gain possession of them soon.

Princeton University

Van Gaal breaks football down into four phases, from non-possession, to about to gain possession, to actual possession and all the way back to playing without possession again.

The Guardian - Sport

In that way each state attempted to gain possession of the territory of Macedonia itself.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But in a side which is struggling to gain possession he is less influential.

Independent

Twice at the end of regulation, Franklin and Ryan dived on loose balls to gain possession.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sports, consider using "upon gaining possession" to highlight the strategic importance of ball or territory control.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "upon gaining possession" can sound overly formal in casual writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "after getting it" or "once they had it" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon gaining possession" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating the timing or condition under which the action of the verb occurs. The use of "upon" suggests immediacy and direct consequence.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "upon gaining possession" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to indicate an event that immediately follows the acquisition of something. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its usage is formal and more suited to specific contexts like legal, news, and academic writing. Simpler alternatives are often preferable in informal settings. The phrase helps to establish a clear and immediate sequence of events, highlighting the consequences or actions taken directly after obtaining possession. Consider substituting it with phrases like "after acquiring possession" or "once possession is obtained" for variety or depending on the level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after acquiring possession

This alternative replaces "upon gaining" with "after acquiring", offering a more direct and common way to express the sequence of events.

on taking possession

This alternative replaces "gaining" with "taking", suggesting a more active and deliberate acquisition.

once possession is obtained

This phrase uses a passive voice construction, shifting the focus from the actor to the state of possession itself.

after securing control

Similar to 'when control is secured', but uses 'after securing' for a temporal emphasis.

when control is secured

This option replaces "possession" with "control", emphasizing the aspect of authority and management.

in receipt of ownership

A more formal and legalistic alternative, using "receipt of ownership" to denote the act of formally receiving possession.

following the acquisition of

This provides a more formal, often business-related tone, suitable for official reports.

with the attainment of

Emphasizes the achievement or effort involved in achieving possession.

having come into possession of

A more verbose and descriptive way of saying someone now holds something.

in one's possession

This option shifts the focus to the state of already having possession, rather than the act of gaining it.

FAQs

What does "upon gaining possession" mean?

The phrase "upon gaining possession" means immediately after obtaining or acquiring something. It indicates a point in time right after someone has taken control or ownership of something.

How to use "upon gaining possession" in a sentence?

You can use "upon gaining possession" to describe an event that follows directly after acquiring something, such as "Upon gaining possession of the ball, the team quickly launched a counter-attack."

What can I say instead of "upon gaining possession"?

You can use alternatives like "after acquiring possession", "once possession is obtained", or "after securing control" depending on the context.

Is "upon gaining possession" formal or informal?

"Upon gaining possession" is generally considered a formal phrase. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "after getting" or "once we had" might be more appropriate.