what we possess

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what we possess" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing ownership, resources, or qualities that belong to someone or something. Example: "What we possess defines our identity and values." Alternative expressions include "what we have" and "our possessions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

For example, when we think we "are" our possessions, then any threats to what we possess lead to defensiveness and aggression.

Huffington Post

Having children is just one reason to value what we possess.

The New York Times - Books

Assad said on Thursday that it was "not our policy to talk publicly about military issues in terms of what we possess or what we receive".

The Guardian

The upload above is the Walküre from the 1991/92 Daniel Barenboim/Harry Kupfer Bayreuth cycle, one of the finest of all productions of the work, and probably still unsurpassed in terms of what we possess on video.

The Guardian - Music

John gave everyone the confidence to be both what we are – a Welsh company with local purpose – and to release what we possess within us at our best: a vision and a reach that is truly global".

The Guardian

In most of what we possess, unfortunately, we find work of a much less polished character.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

We are not fundamentally different from Rita Ross, or from Joan Byron-Marasek, who oversaw the Bengals of Jackson at Six Flags Wild Safari, except that we are not so pungently fragranced, and our lives are less possessed by what we own.

The New Yorker

When we are bound to thoughts, our minds are already possessed by what we have been taught, by our latest conclusions, by beliefs of all kinds and by our fear of having no thoughts.

Huffington Post

Since there are now more mobiles than people in the UK, upgrade culture must persuade us that, even if we hadn't realised it, we have a deep desire for a newer version of what we already possess.

The Guardian - Opinion

What we now possess, then, is nothing but a compilation, and a rather mismanaged, haphazard and "mutilated" one at that.

SEP

There is no wizard who can give us what we already possess.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what we possess" when you want to sound more formal or emphasize the inherent nature of a quality or a resource. While "what we have" is more common in speech, "possess" carries more weight in academic and journalistic writing.

Common error

Avoid using "what we possess" when you actually mean "what we are". Possession refers to external or internal resources (skills, money, objects), whereas being refers to essence. Mixing these up can weaken philosophical or psychological arguments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what we possess" acts as a nominal relative clause, functioning as a noun in a sentence. It can serve as a subject, object, or complement. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often appears as the object of a preposition (e.g., "in terms of "what we possess"") or as the direct object of a verb.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Social Media

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "what we possess" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase widely used in high-quality English writing. Ludwig shows that it is particularly effective in formal contexts, such as political statements, scientific papers, and philosophical inquiries. Unlike the more common "what we have", this phrase adds a layer of sophistication and can refer to both physical objects and abstract qualities like 'decency' or 'ideologies'. Writers should use it when they want to emphasize the nature of ownership or internal resources, ensuring they maintain correct subject-verb agreement with the plural pronoun 'we'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what we have

Uses a more common and versatile verb suitable for informal and neutral contexts

our possessions

Converts the clause into a noun phrase, making it more concise

that which we possess

Increases the level of formality and emphasis, often used in literary or philosophical writing

what we own

Focuses specifically on legal or material ownership rather than general qualities

what belongs to us

Shifts the grammatical focus from the act of possessing to the relationship of belonging

what we hold

Often implies temporary custody or internal values rather than permanent ownership

our belongings

Refers specifically to physical items carried or kept by a person

what we acquire

Highlights the process of obtaining things rather than the state of having them

our assets

Narrows the meaning to valuable items, often in a financial or strategic context

what we enjoy

Suggested by Ludwig to describe the benefit derived from possessions rather than ownership itself

FAQs

Is "what we possess" formal?

Yes, it is generally considered more formal than using "what we have" and is frequently found in academic and journalistic sources.

Can I use "what we possess" for skills and qualities?

Absolutely. It is common to use this phrase for non-material attributes, such as "the skills "what we possess" can determine our success."

What is the difference between "what we possess" and "what we own"?

While similar, "what we own" typically refers to legal or material property, whereas "what we possess" can encompass abstract qualities like knowledge, patience, or energy.

Should it be "what we possess" or "what we possesses"?

It is always "what we possess" because the plural pronoun "we" requires the base form of the verb. Using "possesses" would be a grammatical error in this context.