's

Question

I found this sentense on the net and I'm not sure if it's correct.
"...my father's friend's dog was..."
I'm not sure about those two nouns in 's possessive form put togerther. I've heard a rule stating that in English language it's not possible to use two 's possessive form in a row.

Which one is better, correct or more natural for a native English speaker:
my father's friend's dog
a dog of my father's friend

Thanks for your help, Petr

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

AnonymousI found this ~~sentense~~ sentence on the net and I'm not sure if it's correct.
"...my father's friend's dog was..."

It's not a sentence. It's only a part of a sentence. It is correct.

AnonymousI've heard a rule stating that in English language it's not possible to use two 's possessive form in a row.

Ignore that rule unless you're teacher insists you observe it.

AnonymousWhich one is better, correct or more natural for a native English speaker:
my father's friend's dog
a dog of my father's friend

The first.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks a lot,
Petr

Vchekh · Answer

That's an interesting question.

Grammar textbooks say that the "double possessive" should not be used and recommend using constuctions like "the dog of my father's friend" instead. But I keep coming across the "double possessive" all the time. Here's just one example from a British TV show.
(missing image)

I think the "double possessive" is something that grammarians frown upon but still tolerate, because everybody uses it. It's just like the "split infinitive".

Well, but I'm not a native speaker. Let's wait and see what native speakers think. ))

Dimsumexpress · Answer

Personally, I am one of those who are not in favor of using double possessives, and  I would just say: " ...the dog of my father's friend. "

LouiseT · Answer

I would say "my father's friend's dog"

I agree with CJ, only avoid double possessives if your teacher insists.

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