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Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
GENITIVE
Hi,
It seems to have been noted that there are these three types of genitives among others:
1) genitive of classification
2) genitive of purpose
3) genitive of possession
What I have trouble is with no. 1. and 2. Where does this belong?
a men's toilet
This doesn't seem so much different from the form:
a teachers' seminar
But the first one merely classifies or notes the purpose of the place -- a place for men
Then again, the second one can be said to do the same thing -- decribe what the seminar is for (for teachers)
Then, it has been said if an adjective is there for the purpose of describing, a non-possessive form should be used.
a worker attendance sheet
Which one can be used here?
1) They had to cut workers' pay more to the level mandated /stipulated in the contract.
2) They had to cut the worker pay more to the level mandated /stipulated in the contract.
It seems to have been noted that there are these three types of genitives among others:
1) genitive of classification
2) genitive of purpose
3) genitive of possession
What I have trouble is with no. 1. and 2. Where does this belong?
a men's toilet
This doesn't seem so much different from the form:
a teachers' seminar
But the first one merely classifies or notes the purpose of the place -- a place for men
Then again, the second one can be said to do the same thing -- decribe what the seminar is for (for teachers)
Then, it has been said if an adjective is there for the purpose of describing, a non-possessive form should be used.
a worker attendance sheet
Which one can be used here?
1) They had to cut workers' pay more to the level mandated /stipulated in the contract.
2) They had to cut the worker pay more to the level mandated /stipulated in the contract.
Top answer
It seems that in "men's toilet" and "teachers' seminar," whom it's for takes precedence over what it's for, therefore, possession. I think in both cases the nouns adaquately describe the purposes (toilet/seminar), although the second is probably more arguable. Regarding the second issue, my sense is that both may be used, depending on what the author wishes to stress.
- It seems that in "men's toilet" and "teachers' seminar," whom it's for takes precedence over what it's for, therefore, possession.
- I think in both cases the nouns adaquately describe the purposes (toilet/seminar), although the second is probably more arguable.
- Regarding the second issue, my sense is that both may be used, depending on what the author wishes to stress.
- They decided to raise executive pay and cut worker pay.
- They gave the workers a better health plan, but then they cut the workers' pay to make up for it.
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1 Answers
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It seems that in "men's toilet" and "teachers' seminar," whom it's for takes precedence over what it's for, therefore, possession. I think in both cases the nouns adaquately describe the purposes (toilet/seminar), although the second is probably more arguable.
Regarding the second issue, my sense is that both may be used, depending on what t
Regarding the second issue, my sense is that both may be used, depending on what t
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