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English 1b3 Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Technical grammar--possessives

I understood that we don't require the possessive when we have noun of noun,
instead of noun's noun.

Please can you tell me which are correct and
why?

a. He is a relative of Andrew.
b. He is a relative of
Andrew's.
c. He is a relative of his.

d. They are friends of
theirs.

e. David is a respected customer of Jenny.
f. David is a
respected customer of Jenny's.
g. David is a respected customer of hers.
  

Top answer

The double possessive is by far the more common (with nouns), and the only right choice with pronouns: b. He is a relative of Andrew's. c.

— Mister Micawber

  • The double possessive is by far the more common (with nouns), and the only right choice with pronouns: b.
  • He is a relative of Andrew's.
  • c.
  • He is a relative of his.
  • d.
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9 Answers
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The double possessive is by far the more common (with nouns), and the only right choice with pronouns:

b. He is a relative of Andrew's.
c. He is a relative of his.
d. They are friends of theirs.
f. David is a respected customer of Jenny's.
g. David is a respected customer of hers.
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Hello,

I just have a related question to the OP's question. In the following example, do you think only 'i' is correct based on the correct answers given previously? I was wondering because I have heard a song by an American artist with 'h' as part of its lyrics.

h. I have a picture of you in my mind.

i. I have a picture of yours in my mind.

If
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Mister MicawberThe double possessive is by far the more common (with nouns)
I'm sorry I would just like to confirm my understanding. Does this mean that both sentences below are correct and it's just that one is more common than the other?

If both are correct, which is more appropriate for formal writing?

He is a relative of Andrew.
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Interesting. Is there cases where noun of noun/pronoun where the possessive is wrong or at least less common? I'm sure there must be, but I cannot think of any off the top of my head.
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He is a relative of Andrew.-- Rare, but possible, I think.

He is a relative of Andrew's.-- the usual.

So only the second sentence below is correct.-- Right

He is a relative of him. (incorrect)

He is a relative of his. (correct)
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This is the classic paradigm for using the double genitive:

I have a picture of you in my mind.-- I see you.

I have a picture of yours in my mind. -- I see a picture (perhaps of a pet, a scene, or a sandwich) that you own, painted or took.
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Thank you very much for answering all my questions. I really appreciate it.

Just a follow-up question below...

Mister Micawber
He is a relative of Andrew.-- Rare, but possible, I think.
He is a relative of Andrew's.-- the usual.
Since the first sentence is possible and grammatical, does it mean exactly the same as the second one?
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Thank you for that clarification. I now understand. Emotion: smile
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