What is possession? Pronunciation and usage in English

possession means . Learn how to pronounce and use possession through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of possession

possessionnoun

/pəˈzɛʃn/
Definition & pronunciation of possession

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "possession" in English. It's a tricky one! Here's a breakdown of the sounds and how to put them together:

1. Syllable Breakdown:

The word is generally divided into three syllables:

  • pos - like "post" (as in a mailbox)
  • ses - like "says"
  • sion - like "shun" (as in "sun")

2. Sounds (Phonetics):

Here's how it breaks down phonetically (using a simplified system):

  • pos: /pɒs/ (The "o" is a short "o" sound, like in "pot")
  • ses: /sɛs/ (The "e" is a short "e" sound, like in "bed")
  • sion: /ʃən/ (The "s" is a soft "sh" sound, like in "ship", and the "n" is a nasal "n" sound - air comes out of your nose)

3. Putting it Together:

Putting it all together, it sounds like: pɒs sɛs ʃən

4. Tips for Pronunciation:

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the first syllable: pos. You'll want to emphasize that syllable more than the others.
  • “Sh” sound: The “sion” part is key. Make sure you’re producing a soft “sh” sound – don't pronounce it like "sition."
  • Nasal "n": The “n” in “sion” is nasal. Try to feel the vibration in your nose as you say it.

Resources for Hearing It:

Would you like me to:

  • Break down any part of the pronunciation in more detail?
  • Give you some example sentences to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word possession in English

Let's break down how to use the word "possession" in English. It's a versatile word with several different meanings and grammatical roles. Here's a detailed explanation:

1. As a Noun (Most Common Usage)

  • Ownership: This is the most frequent meaning. It refers to the state of having something – a thing, property, or right.

    • "The possession of the land was disputed for years." (meaning: ownership of the land)
    • "I’m proud of my possession of a vintage guitar." (meaning: my ownership of the guitar)
    • "The museum's possession of the Mona Lisa is a huge draw for tourists." (meaning: the museum's ownership of the painting)

  • Something Held or Controlled: It can refer to something temporarily in someone’s hands.

    • "He surrendered his possession of the keys to the security guard."
    • "The dog’s possession of the ball was quite insistent."

2. As a Verb (Less Common)

  • To Have or Own: This is the primary verb usage.

    • "He possessed a great deal of confidence." (meaning: he had a lot of confidence)
    • "The company possessed valuable patents." (meaning: the company owned valuable patents)
    • "She possessed remarkable talent as a painter." (meaning: she had remarkable talent)

  • To Seize or Take Possession Of (Formal): This is a more formal and legalistic use, often involving taking control of something forcibly or legally.

    • "The government took possession of the abandoned property."
    • "The soldiers secured possession of the strategic hill."

3. Related Phrases & Usage Notes

  • Possession of (Something): This phrase is very common after the verb "have" or "possess."

    • "He has possession of the evidence." (He owns/has the evidence)
    • “The police are investigating the possession of illegal drugs.” (They are investigating whether someone had illegal drugs.)

  • Legal Possession: In legal contexts, "possession" can refer to the demonstrable control someone has over an item – even if they don’t technically own it.

    • "The court ruled that he had legal possession of the car, despite not having the title."

  • Possession as a State: You can talk about the state of possession.

    • “The possession of knowledge is power.” (The having of knowledge is power.)

  • Abstract Possession: It’s used in abstract terms:

    • "The possession of a good idea is often the first step to innovation."

Tips for Using "Possession" Correctly

  • Context is key: Pay careful attention to the sentence and surrounding text to understand which meaning is intended.
  • Distinguish from "Possibility": "Possession" (ownership) is different from “possibility” (the potential for something to happen).
  • Consider synonyms: Depending on the nuance you want to convey, you might consider synonyms like: own, hold, possess, holdership, control.

Examples to Illustrate Different Uses:

  • Noun (Ownership): "The family's seaside cottage was a treasured possession."
  • Verb (Possess): “She possessed an unwavering determination to succeed.”
  • Phrase (Possession of): “The police are investigating the possession of stolen goods.”

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you using "possession" in? (e.g., legal writing, general conversation, creative writing?)
  • Can you give me an example sentence where you're trying to use the word?

Synonyms for the word possession

Idioms of the word possession

possession is nine tenths of the law
(saying)if you already have or control something, it is difficult for somebody else to take it away from you, even if they have the legal right to it

    Practice with vocabulary possession

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. After the successful merger, the acquiring company assumed full legal _______ of the target firm's intellectual property.
    2. Due to strict airline regulations, passengers are advised to declare all valuable _______ before boarding.
    3. The legal _______ of the disputed territory has been a contentious issue between the two nations for decades.
    4. Before leaving the conference hall, attendees were reminded to ensure all personal _______ were gathered.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. The police found illicit drugs in his _______. A) property B) ownership C) possession D) belongings

    2. The antique collection was her most prized _______. A) asset B) possession C) property D) holding

    3. After years of negotiation, the ancient artifact finally came into the museum's _______. A) ownership B) possession C) custody D) keeping

    4. The artist retained all intellectual _______ for her original designs. A) claims B) property rights C) titles D) assets

    5. Upon evacuation, residents were only permitted to take their essential personal _______. A) properties B) belongings C) effects D) holdings

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The company now owns the majority of the building. Rewrite using a form of "possession":

    2. Anyone found having illegal substances will face severe penalties. Rewrite using a form of "possession":

    3. He has a great many expensive things in his house. Rewrite using a suitable replacement word, not "possession":

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. After the successful merger, the acquiring company assumed full legal possession of the target firm's intellectual property.
    2. Due to strict airline regulations, passengers are advised to declare all valuable possessions before boarding.
    3. The legal ownership of the disputed territory has been a contentious issue between the two nations for decades.
    4. Before leaving the conference hall, attendees were reminded to ensure all personal belongings were gathered.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. C) possession
    2. A) asset, B) possession, C) property
    3. B) possession, C) custody, D) keeping
    4. B) property rights
    5. B) belongings, C) effects

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The company is now in possession of the majority of the building.
    2. Anyone found to possess illegal substances will face severe penalties.
    3. He has a great many expensive valuables in his house.

    Comment ()