S apostrophe

's is not forbidden for inanimate things, but this case of "table's leg" is not very natural. "table leg" is more natural.

"the leg of table" is not right. An article (or other determiner) is needed for "table": "the leg of a/the table".

You are typing the wrong character for the apostrophe.

Thanks but it`s always said that When referring to an attribute of an inanimate(lifeless) object, it is inappropriate to use the possessive endings. An inanimate object such as a chair or a window cannot own anything. What`s your opinion?

You should use 'a/the table leg'. A/the table's leg is ungrammatical, and so is 'the leg of a/the table'.

There is usually only one correct way to express a particular idea and your example clearly illustrates this point. The possessive and -of forms are possible in other situations.

Mohamadreza0Thanks but it`s always said that When referring to an attribute of an inanimate(lifeless) object, it is inappropriate to use the possessive endings. An inanimate object such as a chair or a window cannot own anything. What`s your opinion?

"Possession" of one simple physical object by another often does not work well with apostrophe-s, as is the cas

IvanhrA/the table's leg is ungrammatical

I do not personally agree that it ungrammatical. I would just say that it is not very natural.

Michael Swan's book 'Practical English Usage' specifically deals with this issue and he says that only "a/the table leg" is correct English.

I personally wonder how many English native people would find either "a/the table's leg" or "the leg of a/the table" acceptable (though unnatural as you say).

IvanhrI personally wonder how many English native people would find either "a/the table's leg" or "the leg of a/the table" acceptable (though unnatural as you say).

"the leg of a/the table" seems perfectly acceptable to me in a suitable context. I do not see any problem with it.

IvanhrI personally wonder how many English native people would find either "a/the table's leg" or "the leg of a/the table" acceptable (though unnatural as you say).

I do—acceptable in particular contexts. As GPY has already made clear in his first post, 'a table leg' is the expectec.

Mister MicawberIvanhrI personally wonder how many English native people would find either "a/the table's leg" or "the leg of a/the table" acceptable (though unnatural as you say).I do—acceptable in particular contexts. As GPY has already made clear in his first post, 'a table leg' is the expectec.

I suppose both your answers don't surprise me much. The actual

IvanhrI suppose both your answers don't surprise me much. The actual usage of native speakers often differs from the prescription found in the grammar books that we read.

Putting "table's leg" aside, does the book really say that "the leg of a/the table" is incorrect? Maybe I am misunderstanding what you meant in your previous post.