who possesses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "who possesses" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to talk about someone who owns or has something. For example, "Samuel is an admirable leader who possesses a wide range of knowledge and skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who "possesses" the manuscripts of dead writers?

The Guardian - Books

It all depends on who possesses the gun.

The New Yorker

"Hopefully," he said, "they think I'm the player who possesses what they're looking for.

The New York Times - Sports

Of course it's the rare starving artist, poet or sidewalk philosopher who possesses movie-star looks.

The New York Times

It is rather man, real living man who does everything, who possesses and fights".

The Guardian - Opinion

Who possesses the most nuanced understanding of the tribes, the politics, the culture, the war?

The New Yorker

I think Lisa is one of the few players who possesses that".

The New York Times - Sports

A cook who possesses good figs can go sweet or savory.

The New York Times - Food

We cannot allow ourselves to vote in a prime minister who possesses the capacity for love.

The Guardian

(Three child actors alternate in that part. I saw Lewis Andrews, who possesses extraordinary lungs).

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Grinker notes that his daughter is a "chatty, quirky" artist who possesses perfect pitch.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "who possesses" to add a formal tone when describing someone who has a particular skill or attribute.

Common error

Avoid using "who possesses" in casual conversation; simpler alternatives like "who has" or "who owns" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "who possesses" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or pronoun to provide more information about it. It is commonly used to identify or describe someone who owns, has, or exhibits a particular characteristic, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "who possesses" is a grammatically sound and frequently used relative clause, as validated by Ludwig AI. It serves to provide detail about individuals or entities that have specific attributes, skills, or ownership. While it can lend a formal tone, it's versatile enough for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic writing. Remember to consider simpler alternatives like "who has" in informal situations. The high number of examples found by Ludwig underscores its widespread application in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

who owns

This alternative uses a more common synonym for "possesses", focusing on legal ownership.

who has

This is a simpler and more general way to express possession, suitable for various contexts.

who controls

This suggests a degree of authority or power over something.

who holds

This implies temporary possession or stewardship.

who is in possession of

This is a more formal and emphatic way of stating possession.

who wields

This suggests using or exercising power or influence.

who commands

This implies authority and the ability to direct something.

who is endowed with

This suggests being naturally or inherently equipped with something.

who is gifted with

This implies a natural talent or ability.

who bears

This suggests carrying or holding something, often with responsibility.

FAQs

How to use "who possesses" in a sentence?

You can use "who possesses" to describe someone or something that owns, has, or exhibits a particular attribute. For example, "a leader "who possesses" great wisdom".

What can I say instead of "who possesses"?

You can use alternatives like "who owns", "who has", or "who controls" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "who possesses" or "that possesses"?

"Who possesses" is generally used for people, while "that possesses" is used for things. For example, "the individual "who possesses" the knowledge" versus "the tool "that possesses" the capability".

What's the difference between "who possesses" and "who has"?

"Who possesses" is more formal and suggests a deeper or more significant holding than "who has", which is a more general term for ownership or attribute. "The artist "who possesses" a unique vision" versus "The company "who has" a large market share".