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Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

apostrophe and posessive adjective

Hi there everyone,
I was wondering if anyone could help me with this tricky use of the apostrophe,

In the sentence "John and Mary's train is late." if i decided to replace "John" with the possessive adjective "my," how would one use the apostrophe?

Would it be:

My and Mary's train is late
Mary's and my train is late
Mary and my train is late
Mary and I's train is late (Though the latter two seem deranged to say the least) ????

I know it would obviously be easier to say "our train is late" but for then sake of curiosity,

Thanks in advance

Simon
  

Top answer

Anonymous I know it would obviously be easier to say "our train is late" Yes, indeed, and this is the strategy that native speakers usually follow. Anonymous Mary and I's train is late You would be surprised (or maybe not) at how often people do use this construction. Anonymous - My and Mary's train is late Mary's and my train is late Mary and my train is late Each of these has its advantages and disadvantages, and they all sound suspect to my ear.

— CalifJim

  • Anonymous I know it would obviously be easier to say "our train is late" Yes, indeed, and this is the strategy that native speakers usually follow.
  • Anonymous Mary and I's train is late You would be surprised (or maybe not) at how often people do use this construction.
  • Anonymous - My and Mary's train is late Mary's and my train is late Mary and my train is late Each of these has its advantages and disadvantages, and they all sound suspect to my ear.
  • I believe it is the second of the three that is normally advised by the grammar mavens.
  • CJ
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2 Answers
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AnonymousI know it would obviously be easier to say "our train is late"
Yes, indeed, and this is the strategy that native speakers usually follow.
AnonymousMary and I's train is late
You would be surprised (or maybe not) at how often people do use this construction.
Anonymous-
My and Mary's train
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thank you CJ! yes i agree, the second of the three does seem to ring truer. Thanks again
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