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Ask for help > Possess vs Have
Possess vs Have
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nurikzhan
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Possess vs Have
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Hello, dear friends, I am confused in using "possess" vs "have", Some of my colleagues say that we can �t use "possess"with the objects, e.g.: She possesses a ball. Is she right? or We can use "possess" only with personality characteristics? Because in one book called "ESSENTIAL WORDS" I saw a sentence: My uncle possesses three sheep, a cow and a horse.She says that it is impossible. I insisted that we can use with objects. Who is correct? Please, is it is not difficult for you, explain the exact rules of using these two verbs. |
21 Jul 2015
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Gi2gi
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Sure, you can use possess with objects, e.g. I do not possess a computer. Although, it �s a bit more formal than have/have got. Also, the verb "have" can be used with more varied meanings, like I have two cups of coffee in the mornings, but I am sure you are perfectly aware of this.
Giorgi |
21 Jul 2015
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yanogator
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As Giorgi said, you definitely can possess objects, and "possess" is a more formal verb than "have". With objects, "possess" means the same as "own", and is a stronger word than "have". "Possess" has a bit of a legal sense to it. "I have a car" is a simpler statement than "I possess/own a car", which lightly includes the fact that I hold the title to the car. When a group is going out and deciding who will drive, you would say "I have a car", because its ownership doesn �t matter - just its availability. When considering my net worth, "I possess a car" is an important statement. Bruce |
21 Jul 2015
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nurikzhan
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Thank you, dear friends, Now I will explain to her from your words. �
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22 Jul 2015
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leaponover
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There is even a saying, "Possession is 9/10 the law". Meaning owning something will put you in the right 90% of the time. It �s kind of outdated but furthers the idea of possession meaning legal ownership.
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23 Jul 2015
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