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Taka Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
The
Grammatically, it is said that the article "the" cannot be used in front of the possessive noun (i.e "the Ken's house").
However, I've seem many examples like "the Hemingway's novel".
Why are such expressions possible? About the example of Hemingway, is it that Hemingway wrote many novels and it refers to a specific one that he wrote?
However, I've seem many examples like "the Hemingway's novel".
Why are such expressions possible? About the example of Hemingway, is it that Hemingway wrote many novels and it refers to a specific one that he wrote?
Top answer
"The Ken's house" and "the Hemingway's novel" are both ungrammatical - the rule seems valid for singular proper nouns -but other such constructions are possible, for example: We went to the neighbors' house for lunch. We went to the professor's house for tea. We went to the Joneses' house for dinner.
- "The Ken's house" and "the Hemingway's novel" are both ungrammatical - the rule seems valid for singular proper nouns -but other such constructions are possible, for example: We went to the neighbors' house for lunch.
- We went to the professor's house for tea.
- We went to the Joneses' house for dinner.
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9 Answers
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"The Ken's house" and "the Hemingway's novel" are both ungrammatical - the rule seems valid for singular proper nouns -but other such constructions are possible, for example:
We went to the neighbors' house for lunch.
We went to the professor's house for tea.
We went to the Joneses' house for dinner.
We went to the neighbors' house for lunch.
We went to the professor's house for tea.
We went to the Joneses' house for dinner.
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I've seem many examples like "the Hemingway's novel".
In what kind of context did you see this? It just sounds like incorrect English.
Say 'the Hemingway novel' or 'Hemingway's novel', in a context where the reader already knows which one you are referring to.
In what kind of context did you see this? It just sounds like incorrect English.
Say 'the Hemingway novel' or 'Hemingway's novel', in a context where the reader already knows which one you are referring to.
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CliveIn what kind of context did you see this?I don't have any context on hand at the moment. Maybe my memory doesn't serve me right.
So it sounds wrong. I see.
Thanks, Clive
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Clive, could you tell me why the anon's last example is possible?
We went to the Joneses' house for dinner.
We went to the Joneses' house for dinner.
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And houses, not novels.0
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Clive, let me ask one more, just to make things clear.
About this:
one of the humans'/the human beings' characteristics.
About this:
Then is thisOK?
We went to the Hemingways' house. (two persons)
one of the humans'/the human beings' characteristics.
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I wouldn't say it is wrong, but it looks very odd.
It's easy to find a context where you'd talk about the Hemingways.
It's harder to find a context where you'd talk about the humans / the human beings.
I'd find another way to say
It's easy to find a context where you'd talk about the Hemingways.
It's harder to find a context where you'd talk about the humans / the human beings.
I'd find another way to say
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