'The' Before Posessive 'S: A Complex Case

Question

Hi. It is said that we should use the before posessive 's if the noun after it requires it. But consider the following case:Let's create a sentence from the expression the notorious economic might. For example:(The) China's notorious economic might is largely a myth.The question is, is the necessary here at all and, if so, is it true that the in such complex cases is actually unrelated to the noun after it? Thanks.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Generally speaking the determiner goes with the possessive. English doesn't have a way of putting a separate determiner for the noun that heads the phrase. In most cases we know that the determiner for the head noun is "the" by default.

a boy's shoes: "a" obviously doesn't go with "shoes". It goes with "boy". This means the shoes of a boy. We never say the [a boy's

a boy's shoes: "a" obviously doesn't go with "shoes". It goes with "boy". This means the shoes of a boy. We never say the [a boy's] shoes.

the president's speech: Following the same pattern, "the" goes with "president". This means the speech of the president. We never say the [the president's] speech.

China's notorious economic might: This means the notorious economic might of China. China is a proper noun, so it doesn't take a determiner. We don't say the China.

I believe I may have seen an example or two in which the article at the beginning of such a phrase does not apply to the possessive but to the noun after it, but I don't remember any specific examples. It's extremely rare.

CJ

'The' Before Posessive 'S: A Complex Case

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