Possessive S question please?

Question

I want to compare the addiction level of caffeine to that of both cocaine and nicotine. should I put the letter S and ' on both words nicotine and cocaine or just the last word of them ?

What do you think about his sentence ?

Caffeine is an addictive drug, more addictive than marijuana , even close to nicotine and cocaine's addiction level. That means cutting caffeine cold turkey will triggers several withdrawal symptoms ranging from severe headache or back pain to severe depression like symptoms.

Thanks a lot !

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

You need nicotine's and cocaine's addiction levels if you want to phrase it that way. However, what sounds better to my ear is this: close to the addiction levels of nicotine and cocaine.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Dear Austere

This is my opinion..

I would use the apostrophe-S with both words and I would use "or"..

"..it is close to nicotine's or cocaine's addiction level.."

But this does sound awkward and, to be honest, I would probably get round the problem..

"..it is close to the addiction level of nicotine or cocaine.."

The difficulty with missing out the first apostrope-S and using "and" is that the two items are put together..

"..it is close to nicotine and cocaine's addiction level.." might be taken as - it's like taking a mixture of nicotine and cocaine (which, certainly, would be very addictive)

Example to compare:

My car is faster than Fred's or Bob's [we have three cars and mine is the fastest]

My car is faster than Fred and Bob's [they own their car together - and mine is faster]

Hope this helps, Dave

Anonymous · Answer

The possessive "'s" follows the final noun, as you have it.

But, a clearer sentence might read, "...close to the addiction levels of both nicotine and cocaine."

John

Possessive S question please?

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