Definitions
- Referring to something that belongs to a person or group. - Talking about having exclusive rights or control over something. - Describing the act of possessing something as a result of purchase, inheritance, or acquisition.
- Referring to having or holding something. - Talking about having ownership or control over something. - Describing the act of having or holding something as a result of purchase, inheritance, or acquisition.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words refer to having or holding something.
- 2Both words can be used to describe ownership or control over something.
- 3Both words can be used in formal and informal contexts.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Own is more commonly used in everyday language than possess.
- 2Connotation: Own has a more positive connotation, while possess can have a negative connotation when used to describe illegal or unwanted items.
- 3Emphasis: Own emphasizes personal connection or attachment to the item, while possess emphasizes the act of holding or having the item.
- 4Form: Own is often used as an adjective, while possess is more commonly used as a verb.
- 5Ownership: Own implies exclusive ownership, while possess can imply shared ownership or temporary possession.
Remember this!
Own and possess are synonyms that both refer to having or holding something. However, own is more commonly used and has a more positive connotation, emphasizing personal connection or attachment to the item. Possess, on the other hand, emphasizes the act of holding or having the item and can have a negative connotation when used to describe illegal or unwanted items.
