Lesson focus
Genitives, of-phrases, double possessives, time/organisation possessives and noun-noun modification
Advanced aim: Choose genitives, of-phrases and noun modifiers according to semantic relationship, animacy, information packaging and clarity.
Organisation possessive
Use 's with organisations when the relationship is natural and concise.
- Example: The company's long-term strategy remains unchanged.
- In another context: The publishing group's long-term strategy remains unchanged.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Time possessive
Use 's with periods of time in expressions of duration or reference.
- Example: We need at least two weeks' notice before making the change.
- In another context: Separate scenario: We need at least two weeks' notice before making the change.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Of-genitive
Of-genitives are especially natural with inanimate, complex or postmodified possessors, but genitive choice is often a matter of information structure and style rather than grammatical possibility alone.
- Example: The roof of the historic library was damaged in the storm.
- In another context: The roof of the historic library was damaged in the overnight snowfall.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Double genitive
A double genitive such as a colleague of Maya's refers to one member of a larger set associated with the possessor.
- Example: I discussed the issue with a former colleague of Maya's.
- In another context: I discussed the access problem with a former colleague of Nadia's.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Singular noun modifier
A noun used before another noun is normally singular in form.
- Example: The company introduced a staff training programme.
- In another context: The publishing group introduced a staff training programme.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Measurement modifier
Measurement expressions used before nouns are normally singular and hyphenated.
- Example: They signed a ten-year maintenance agreement.
- In another context: Separate scenario: They signed a ten-year maintenance agreement.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Shared possession
With coordinated possessors sharing one thing, add 's only to the final name.
- Example: Lena and Marco's office is on the third floor.
- In another context: Follow-up case: Lena and Marco's office is on the third floor.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Separate possession
When two people possess separate things, mark possession on both names.
- Example: Lena's and Marco's offices are on different floors.
- In another context: Alternative case study: Lena's and Marco's offices are on different floors.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Possessive gerund
In formal style, a possessive determiner or genitive can mark the understood subject of a gerund.
- Example: We objected to the contractor's changing the specification without notice.
- In another context: We objected to the engineering company's changing the specification without notice.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Noun-chain clarity
Long noun chains should be reorganised when necessary to make relationships clear.
- Example: The review of customer data protection procedures begins next month.
- In another context: The independent assessment of employee records protection procedures begins next month.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
C1 takeaway
Do not ask only “Which form is grammatically possible?” Ask what the speaker is presenting as background or foreground, completed or ongoing, certain or tentative, generic or specific, neutral or emphatic. Advanced grammar is the control of those choices.
Genitives, of-phrases, double possessives, time/organisation possessives and noun-noun modification
Separate scenario: The _____ long-term strategy remains unchanged.
Follow-up case: We need at least _____ notice before making the change.
The roof _____ was damaged in the power failure.
I discussed the reporting gap with a former colleague _____.
The research institute introduced a _____ training programme.
Follow-up case: They signed a _____ maintenance agreement.
Alternative case study: _____ office is on the third floor.
Regional example: _____ offices are on different floors.
Separate scenario: We objected to the _____ the specification without notice.
Follow-up case: The _____ begins next month.
Genitives, of-phrases, double possessives, time/organisation possessives and noun-noun modification
Follow-up case: The _____ long-term strategy remains unchanged.
Alternative case study: We need at least _____ notice before making the change.
The roof _____ was damaged in the landslide.
I discussed the discrepancy with a former colleague _____.
The manufacturer introduced a _____ training programme.
Alternative case study: They signed a _____ maintenance agreement.
Regional example: _____ office is on the third floor.
Separate scenario: _____ offices are on different floors.
Follow-up case: We objected to the _____ the specification without notice.
Alternative case study: The _____ begins next month.
Genitives, of-phrases, double possessives, time/organisation possessives and noun-noun modification
Alternative case study: The company's long-term strategy remains unchanged.
Regional example: We need at least two weeks' notice before making the change.
The roof of the historic library was damaged in the flooding.
I discussed the compliance concern with a former colleague of Maya's.
The agency introduced a staff training programme.
Regional example: They signed a ten-year maintenance agreement.
Separate scenario: Lena and Marco's office is on the third floor.
Follow-up case: Lena's and Marco's offices are on different floors.
Alternative case study: We objected to the contractor's changing the specification without notice.
Regional example: The review of customer data protection procedures begins next month.