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Lcchang Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

superlative

Ruth is the smartest person of this company.

Ruth is the smartest person in this company.

May I ask if both sentences are OK to use?

Please advise.

LCChang
  

Top answer

Of is seldom used this way except by EFL/ESLs-- it is usually reserved for the genitive.

— Mister Micawber

  • Of is seldom used this way except by EFL/ESLs-- it is usually reserved for the genitive.
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4 Answers
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Of is seldom used this way except by EFL/ESLs-- it is usually reserved for the genitive.
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Mister Micawber,

I am a little lost. Can you please explain what does a genitive mean?
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Mister MicawberOf is seldom used this way except by EFL/ESLs-- it is usually reserved for the genitive.

I tried reversing the sentence, so it would be "This company's smartest person is Ruth." Could it match the genitive for "of"?

Please advise.

LCChang
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Yes, that is the -s genitive we normally use for people and smart animals, where the 'of' genitive is used for non-sentient things like tables and George Bush.

My point, however, is that we don't 'genitivize' (my word) as much in English as some EFLs would like us to. We seldom wish to say that she 'belongs to' the company (smartest person of the company)-- we
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