in the possession of vs in possession of

Both 'in the possession of' and 'in possession of' are correct phrases in English. They are interchangeable, but 'in possession of' is more commonly used and considered more concise. Both phrases convey the same meaning of someone having something.

Last updated: April 08, 2024 • 536 views

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in comparison to 'in possession of'.

"in the possession of"

This phrase is used to indicate that someone has something or is holding something. It is grammatically correct but less common in everyday language.

Show examples from the web [+]

Currently believed to be in the possession of one Mortimer Fassbinder.
Tannberg and Mittelberg remained in the possession of this family for about hundred years.
The manuscripts are now in the possession of the British Library.
It's extremely heart-wrenching for me to know that this list is in the possession of Monsanto.
This morning that amount was found in the possession of Mr Cissy Alvarez.
Well, Detective Vega found this in the possession of our suspect.
If no one claimed the box, it remained in the possession of the Treasury.
Our intel tells us it may be in the possession of the former KGB operative, Sasha Banacheck.
He was convicted because papers in his handwriting were found in the possession of an enemy agent.
If it in the possession of a fiend such as Leeds, it can only represent evil.
There is considerable debate however as to whether the lamellae in question were in the possession of a Scandinavian resident or a foreign mercenary.
The original charts are still in the possession of the Hydrographic department in Taunton, Somerset, but Bransfield's journal has been lost.
Eastlake's notes mention that the works were "originally in the possession of the Foscari family".
By this marriage Wressle Castle, which had traditionally been in the possession of the Percy family, would pass to the Nevilles.
The Fiddler's violin is later found to be in the possession of Virtuoso, a woman allied with the Society.
What? We have reason to believe the X-5 is now in the possession of Dieter Von Cunth.
This ring, which grants its wearer immortality, was last in the possession of a Harper known as Artus Cimber.
These records shall also encompass nuclear materials and radioactive waste abroad, insofar as they are in the possession of Swiss licence holders.
I came across a complete manuscript some two years ago in the possession of a Nepalese Pandit.
The castle was in the possession of many owners before eventually being purchased by the city.

Alternatives:

in possession of
having
holding
owning
carrying

This phrase is commonly used and considered more concise than 'in the possession of'.

"in possession of"

This phrase is used to indicate that someone has something or is holding something. It is widely used in both formal and informal contexts.

Show examples from the web [+]

Heller is in possession of highly sensitive information.
Anyone caught in possession of contraband will be punished accordingly.
She was in possession of the original piece for years.
Phillip Bauer is now in possession of the component.
I think it's fairly obvious they're in possession of the recording.
You are in possession of the stolen bag.
Hewes Associates is in possession of stolen documents.
Insiders are in possession of confidential information.
Realizes Percy was in possession of something valuable.
The terrorists are in possession of 20 canisters.
The original is in possession of a woman.
Subject was apprehended in possession of 9.4 milliliters of fissile nuclear waste.
Because I am in possession of some information that you might need, pretty.
He was in possession of hyacinth macaws.
She was just in possession of stolen goods.
We believe that Adrian Cross and his people are in possession of it.
You are in possession of a stolen police spaceship.
You were in possession of a controlled substance.
She was found in possession of nanodroid explosives.
You were in possession of stolen property, Macy.

Alternatives:

in the possession of
having
holding
owning
carrying

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in the possession of vs in possession of