Jane's phone number
Hello everyone. I have a question.
Could you evaluate each of the following three sentences in terms of grammar and whether or not it is natural? --
(A) I can tell you Jane's phone number.
(B) I can tell you the phone number of Jane.
(C) I can tell you the phone number of Jane's.
Top answer
In most cases (A) is the natural way to say it. The pattern of (B) is OK in itself, but it is unlikely to be used with just a first name. Possibly it might be used when "Jane" is new or emphasised information.
- In most cases (A) is the natural way to say it.
- The pattern of (B) is OK in itself, but it is unlikely to be used with just a first name.
- Possibly it might be used when "Jane" is new or emphasised information.
- : A: Can you tell me Sarah's phone number?
- B: No, but I can tell you the phone number of Jane.
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In most cases (A) is the natural way to say it.
The pattern of (B) is OK in itself, but it is unlikely to be used with just a first name. Possibly it might be used when "Jane" is new or emphasised information. E.g.:
A: Can you tell me Sarah's phone number?
B: No, but I can tell you the phone number of Jane.
(C) doesn't seem natural to me.
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