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MUSCOVITE Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

two consecutive possessives

Hi,

Ex: Did you read Alex's father's memoirs?

(1) I guess this sentense is grammatically ok?
On the other hand, there are two consecutive possessives in it...

What do you (=native speakers) think of constructions with two (or maybe even three) possessives in a row?
Wouldn't such constructions look a little ....(for lack of a better term) overburdened with such multiple possessives?

Could you give me an example with THREE consecutive possessives (that still looks ok/passable to you)?

(2) On a different note.
Did you read Mr Smith's memoirs?
vs
Did you read Mr Smith's recollections?

The version with the French calque sounds just more formal to you? And there are no other (noticeable) differences between the two?

mus-te
  

Top answer

(1) I guess this sentense is grammatically ok? Yes, it is. MUSCOVITE What do you (=native speakers) think of constructions with two (or maybe even three) possessives in a row?

— Mister Micawber

  • (1) I guess this sentense is grammatically ok?
  • Yes, it is.
  • MUSCOVITE What do you (=native speakers) think of constructions with two (or maybe even three) possessives in a row?
  • It is OK in small doses.
  • Your example is a common case.
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9 Answers
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MUSCOVITEEx: Did you read Alex's father's memoirs?(1) I guess this sentense is grammatically ok?
Yes, it is.
MUSCOVITEWhat do you (=native speakers) think of constructions with two (or maybe even three) possessives in a row?
It is OK in small doses. Your example is a common case.
MUSCOVITECould you g
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Thank you for your prompt reply, MM! Emotion: shake hands
Mister Micawber 'recollections' sounds wrong.
So
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MUSCOVITE"Oh, don't take Mr Smith's recollections seriously... He might exagerate things a little."Is this example OK?
Yes, that's the idea. As memoirs, I can imagine 'recollections' appearing only as a word in the book title.
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Thank you so much, Mister Micawber!
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Ex: Did you read Alex's father's memoirs?

(1) I guess this sentense is grammatically ok? Yes
On the other hand, there are two consecutive possessives in it...

What do you (=native speakers) think of constructions with two (or maybe even three) possessives in a row?
Wouldn't such constructions look a little ....(for lack of
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MUSCOVITECould you give me an example with THREE consecutive possessives (that still looks ok/passable to you)?
If the first possessive is a word like 'my', I think it would be passable.
my brother's wife's father
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Hello Clive,
Thanks for your comments!
CliveDid you fill Alex's father's dog's dish?
Still, which version looks preferable to you? Which one would you most likely use yourself?

Did you fill Alex's farther's dog's dish?
or
Did you fill the dish of Alex's farther's dog?
CliveDid you read Mr
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canadian45If the first possessive is a word like 'my', I think it would be passable. my brother's wife's father
It is a very interesting point! Thank you!
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Thanks for your comments!
CliveDid you fill Alex's father's dog's dish?
Still, which version looks preferable to you? Which one would you most likely use yourself?
I'd be unlikely to say either version. The conversation would take another form. But if I had to choose, I'd choose #1.
Did you fill Alex's fa
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