Possesing difference: 's, of

Question

Good day
Thank You very much dear teachers and sorry for taking your precious time

Concerning possession, I'm confused between preceding one before the other or putting an ('s) or (of)?

Like:

Book of mathematic
Mathematic's book
Mathematic book

What is the difference between all the three?

Another question:
Why we do not say: "English's language" or "Language of English" but we say "English language"?

Thank you in advance

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

Book of mathematic
Mathematic's book
Mathematic book

What is the difference between all the three? They are all incorrect.

Mathematics book
Book about / concerning mathematics

The English language = the language of the English (people)

GPY · Answer

alend.leoWhy we do not say: "English's language" or "Language of English" but we say "English language"?

In "X's language" or "language of X", X has to be a noun. "English" by itself is an adjective. We can make it behave like a noun in "the English", but "the English's" is not viable. "language of the English" is possible, though it is not the normal way to refer to the language.

Alend.leo · Answer

AlpheccaStars and GPY

Thank you very much for both of you.

My problem here is:

When do the natives use (of) or ('s) or (nothing)?

Like:
Mathematics book.

Why did not AlpheccaStars use (of) or ('s)?

Now I understand the case with (English Language) and know why it is in this way.

-----------------------------------

If i give you one more example:

House of fame

Fame's House

Fame House

***********

Or another example:

The Lord's apostle

Apostle of the Lord

What is the difference between all of these examples? Does the meaning change?

AlpheccaStars · Answer

alend.leoMathematics book.Why did not AlpheccaStars use (of) or ('s)?

There are various uses for "of" following certain words.

This is a book of short stories. (A book that contains many individual short stories.)
That is my favorite book of English poems. (A book that contains many English poems.)

Of following book means the format, or nature of the contents, not the subject matter or what the book is about.

Compare with:
This is a history book. (A book about history.)

alend.leoIf I give you one more example:House of fameFame's HouseFame House

Of following house gives the character, reputation, purpose or nature of the house

The Little House / Shop of Horrors (a house where scary or horrible things happen)
A house of ill-repute (see below)
A house of prostitution (a house where prostitutes work)
House of cards (a house that will fall down in a very light breeze)
House of prayer / House of worship (a religious place)
House of Lords / Representatives (a place where elected officials do their legislation)

It also can be the property of a clan or family (mainly aristocracy or royalty) that is handed down for generations.

The possessive noun in front of house indicates ownership.
eg.
my house
George Washington's house was called Mt. Vernon.

GPY · Answer

alend.leoMathematics book.Why did not AlpheccaStars use (of) or ('s)?

"book of mathematics" and "mathematics book" are both possible. There is difference in emphasis. "mathematics' book" is not possible. First, there is not a sufficient "ownership" relationship between mathematics and the book. Second, possessive forms are most often used with people (or things related to people) and less often with inanimate things or concepts (but it is not true, as you may sometimes read, that possessive forms cannot be used with inanimate things). Third, the word mathematics' looks and feels pretty horrible on aesthetic grounds.

alend.leoOr another example:The Lord's apostleApostle of the Lord

These are both possible and mean near enough the same. It may be that one form is by convention used more than the other, but that is not for any particular grammatical reason.

Alend.leo · Answer

Mr. AlpheccaStars

Thank you very much

Mr. GPY

Thank you very much

I have no further question. Sorry for bothering you.

CalifJim · Answer

alend.leoWhat is the difference between all the three?

See

Follow the links shown there.

CJ

Possesing difference: 's, of

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