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Tarirotari Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Genitive: Both the girl's parents
1. Both the girl's parents were present
2. Both parents of the girl were present
Altought I find the first form a bit odd, because I don't think it is usual to have a predeterminer (both) related to the noun that follows the genitive noun (parents), I can't think of a reason why the second form should be correct (and it is).
Why is the second form accepted? Why an of-construction should be accepted for a noun with personal gender? Has it something to do with the use of predetermination (both)?
Thanks.
2. Both parents of the girl were present
Altought I find the first form a bit odd, because I don't think it is usual to have a predeterminer (both) related to the noun that follows the genitive noun (parents), I can't think of a reason why the second form should be correct (and it is).
Why is the second form accepted? Why an of-construction should be accepted for a noun with personal gender? Has it something to do with the use of predetermination (both)?
Thanks.
Top answer
Hi. 1. Both ( of )he girl's parents were present The 'of' in brackets is often omitted.
- Hi.
- 1.
- Both ( of )he girl's parents were present The 'of' in brackets is often omitted.
- 2.
- Both parents of the girl were present Both of these versions are OK and not unusual.
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6 Answers
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Hi.
1. Both ( of )he girl's parents were present The 'of' in brackets is often omitted.
2. Both parents of the girl were present
Both of these versions are OK and not unusual. Why are you surprised about #2?
Altought I find the first form a bit odd, because I don't think it is usual to have a predeterminer (both) related to the noun that fo
1. Both ( of )he girl's parents were present The 'of' in brackets is often omitted.
2. Both parents of the girl were present
Both of these versions are OK and not unusual. Why are you surprised about #2?
Altought I find the first form a bit odd, because I don't think it is usual to have a predeterminer (both) related to the noun that fo
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Hi Clive, thanks for you response.
Sorry to ask again, but isn't the possessive genitive required, and the only form possible, when the possessor is a person?
The form you suggest is in fact familiar to me, and it sounds natural, but why is it correct? Maybe it's too late and I'm out of it, but I've always been taught that in this case:
Sorry to ask again, but isn't the possessive genitive required, and the only form possible, when the possessor is a person?
The form you suggest is in fact familiar to me, and it sounds natural, but why is it correct? Maybe it's too late and I'm out of it, but I've always been taught that in this case:
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Hi,
you must always use:
The girl's parents
I was never taught that this must always be said.
you must always use:
The girl's parents
I was never taught that this must always be said.
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Hi again
Yes, I see why you were right now! How can I have missed it? You can use the of-construction because the noun parents is determined by the.
But, shouldn't the construction then be: the + noun + of + possessive?
The parents of the girl's
Thanks again.
Yes, I see why you were right now! How can I have missed it? You can use the of-construction because the noun parents is determined by the.
But, shouldn't the construction then be: the + noun + of + possessive?
The parents of the girl's
Thanks again.
00
Hi,
Yes, I see why you were right now! How can I have missed it? You can use the of-construction because the noun parents is determined by the.
But, shouldn't the construction then be: the + noun + of + possessive?
The parents of the girl's
When we talk about relationships in this way, we usually say 'the parents of the girl' and omit the
Yes, I see why you were right now! How can I have missed it? You can use the of-construction because the noun parents is determined by the.
But, shouldn't the construction then be: the + noun + of + possessive?
The parents of the girl's
When we talk about relationships in this way, we usually say 'the parents of the girl' and omit the
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