What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
monopolised
Example
The telecommunications industry is monopolized by a few large companies. [monopolized: verb]
Example
The government has monopolized the distribution of certain goods. [monopolized: past participle]
possess
Example
I possess a lot of knowledge about this topic. [possess: verb]
Example
The king possessed great wealth and power. [possessed: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Possess is more commonly used than monopolised in everyday language. Possess is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while monopolised is less common and is typically associated with specific business or legal contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between monopolised and possess?
Both monopolised and possess can be used in formal and informal contexts, but monopolised is more likely to be used in formal or technical contexts due to its association with antitrust laws and regulations.