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Tarirotari Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

The complete works of Abraham Lincoln

He's read the complete works of Abraham Lincoln.

What is the rule for the use of of instead of 's possessive here? Why don't we ever hear (or at least I never have) something like:
He's read Abraham Lincoln's complete works

And what about this sentence?:
He wrote an article about two books of/by Elliot.
If we use of instead of by, shouldn't it be?:
He wrote an article about two books of Elliot's.

Thank you.
  

Top answer

" There is no rule about when to use the possessive form or to use of; it is just a matter of personal choice. As for the second part of your question: He wrote an article about two books of/by Elliot. : He wrote an article about two books of Elliot' s .

— Sam1947

  • " There is no rule about when to use the possessive form or to use of; it is just a matter of personal choice.
  • As for the second part of your question: He wrote an article about two books of/by Elliot.
  • : He wrote an article about two books of Elliot' s .
  • An easier format to ensure correctness is: He wrote an article about two of Elliot's books.
  • I believe you do need the apostrophe in your construction, as well.
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1 Answers
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At least in the U.S., one does hear either, "He's read Lincoln's complete works," or, "He's read the complete works of Lincoln." There is no rule about when to use the possessive form or to use of; it is just a matter of personal choice.

As for the second part of your question:

He wrote an article about two books of/by Elliot.

If we use of
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