The possessive form and of

A Form

We use the possessive of a noun in phrases like the boy's name and Vicky's room. We form the possessive like this.

Singular noun: 's boy -> boy's Vicky -> Vicky's

Plural noun ending in s: ' boys —> boys' tourists ~> tourists'

Plural noun not ending in s: 's men —> men's children —> children's

We can use the possessive form with another noun or on its own.

I've met Rachel's family, but I haven't met Vicky's. (Vicky's - Vicky's family)

B The boy's name or the name of the boy?

Compare these structures.

THE POSSESSIVE FORM PHRASE WITH OF

the boy's name the name of the boy

the boys' names the names of the boys

the men's names the names of the men

Sometimes we can use either the possessive (the boy's name) or a phrase with of (the name of the boy), but often only one is possible. We normally use the possessive with people and animals.

my friend's house Claire's idea Daniel's brother our neighbour's garden the dog's owner

the policemen's uniforms the women's changing room the Parkers' car

We normally use of with things, and not the possessive form. the side of the house NOT the house's side the result of the match not the match's result the day of the meeting not the meeting's day

But we use of with people when there is a long phrase. the house of one of our teachers at college the address of those people we met in Spain

not those people who we met in Spain's address

We can use both structures for places and organizations. London's museums or the museums of London the earth's atmosphere or the atmosphere of the earth the company's future or the future of the company the government's intentions OR the intentions of the government

C The possessive of time

We can use the possessive to say 'when' or 'how long'.

last week's concert today's TV programmes yesterday's news about a month's work a moment's silence ten minutes'walk

Note also:

in two months' time (two months from now) a week's wages (wages for a week)

► the children's dog 3 .............................................................................

1……………………………………….. 4 .............................................................................

2……………………………………….. 5 ………………………………………………….

2 The possessive form (A)

Laura is showing Melanie her photos. Put in the possessive form of the nouns. Laura: This was taken in (►) my friend's (my friend) garden.

It was (1) ……………....................... (the twins) birthday party.

This is Kerry, (2) …………………............... (Luke) girlfriend.

And that's (3) ……………....................... (Jason) sister Emily.

Melanie: And who are these two?

Laura: That's (4).......................................... (Debbie) mother.

She's talking to Monica Davis, (5) ……………………….(her children) teacher.

And that's (6).............................................. (the Lanskys) dog

sitting on (7).................................... (Olivia) foot.

3 The boy's name or the name of the boy? (B)

Ed Buckman writes detective stories. Here are the titles of some of his stories. Write the titles using either of or a possessive form (with s or s').

? the mistake / the policeman The Policeman's Mistake

? the bottom / the bottle The Bottom of the Bottle

1 the gun / Mr Hillman

2 the smell / blood

3 the car / the terrorist

4 the middle / the night

5 the death / someone important

6 the money / the gangsters

4 The possessive of time (C)

Rewrite the underlined phrases using a possessive form.

? The prices this year are even lower. This year's prices

? From here it's a drive of two hours. a two hours' drive

1 I read about it in the paper yesterday

2 I just want a rest for five minutes.

3 It's the special offer for this month.

4 I'll see you in a week.

Date: 2014-12-22; view: 1495