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Miles Lee Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Syntax
For those native speakers, would you guys help me?
My book says these two sentences are both correct.
A. She is another friend of Mary.
B. She is another friend of Mary's.
But, I always have been taught only the latter is correct. Now I'm confused. Are these both correct? Then, what is the difference in terms of syntax and semantics? Would you tell me what each means?
My book says these two sentences are both correct.
A. She is another friend of Mary.
B. She is another friend of Mary's.
But, I always have been taught only the latter is correct. Now I'm confused. Are these both correct? Then, what is the difference in terms of syntax and semantics? Would you tell me what each means?
Top answer
I wish I could help you! There's no difference in meaning and both forms are correct. " I expect you know all this!
- I wish I could help you!
- There's no difference in meaning and both forms are correct.
- " I expect you know all this!
- com/hub/double_possessive There are opinions of all stripes, including that there's a difference in meaning, but nobody seems to address the syntax.
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4 Answers
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I wish I could help you!
There's no difference in meaning and both forms are correct.
Except, we only say "a friend of the court," not "a friend of the court's" or "the court's friend."
There's no difference in meaning and both forms are correct.
Except, we only say "a friend of the court," not "a friend of the court's" or "the court's friend."
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Your book is correct; both are possible:
A. She is another friend of Mary.
B. She is another friend of Mary's.
A. and B. are not really in competition, rather of equal status really, though I'd say that A. is less likely to be heard than B. The difference betwen the two constructions, though, can indicate different perspectives:
A. She is another friend of Mary.
B. She is another friend of Mary's.
A. and B. are not really in competition, rather of equal status really, though I'd say that A. is less likely to be heard than B. The difference betwen the two constructions, though, can indicate different perspectives:
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Thanks for the clear explanation. Hope you will help me with other questions too. ^^
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