was a devout admirer of

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HelloHe was a devout admirer of democracy.I am an admirer of your father's.Which is correct?Why is "father's" not "father"?I am an admirer of your father (not your father's)Thanks.

JohnParis · Accepted Answer

"Father's" is an error. Probably a typo.
The first sentence is correct but the second lacks a subject.
For example, I'm an admirer of your father's public speaking skills.

Terryxpress · Answer

Because it is an instance of the double possessive:
I admire your father
and
I am an admirer of your father's.

He is a friend of mine. (Note that 'mine' is the possessive pronoun.)
Not, 'he is a fan of her', but
He is a fan of hers.

"A picture of my father." (a photograph or painting of him)
and
"A picture of my father's" (one that he owns).

Regards · Answer

Hi,
Basically, I agree with JP. For further details, have a look at this link and read CJ's crystal clear explanation:

Regards

JohnParis · Answer

You're correct Terry, it is an instance of a double possessive. But as Regards and CJ point out, this is a grey area and one that often causes confusion and may even elevate tempers.

The following is from: http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/double-possessive.aspx

To help us learn what’s right, let’s look at some possessives and double possessives that native speakers wouldn't use. It definitely sounds odd to say, “a car of Squiggly.” On the other hand, you could say, “a car of Squiggly's,” assuming he has lots of cars and you’re pointing out one of them. However, “a car of Squiggly's” doesn’t sound as natural to me as “one of Squiggly's cars.”

On the other hand, it’s perfectly normal to say, “the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom” or “the United Kingdom’s Crown Jewels,” but it turns out that it’s ungrammatical to say, “the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom’s.” Here’s a clear-cut rule that helps explain this: When you’re talking about inanimate objects—objects that aren’t alive, such as “the United Kingdom”—you can’t use a double possessive (2). According to The New Fowler's Modern English Usage, for a double possessive to be legal, the object of the preposition “of” has to be “definite and human.” In other words, it’s fine to say, “a friend of my uncle’s” but not “a friend of the museum’s.” You have to say, “a friend of the museum.” However, according to this rule, it would be OK to say, “He's a friend of a friend’s,” but we’ve all heard the common expression “a friend of a friend.” I guess double possessives don’t always work. That should make some sticklers happy.

Avoid Double Possessives

We could clear this all up by stating that we should just always avoid double possessives. Perhaps that would make life easier. Instead of “a friend of my uncle’s” or “a car of Squiggly's,” maybe we should always say, “my uncle’s friend” or “Squiggly’s car.” For the most part, you can’t go wrong if you follow this advice. You should probably avoid the double possessive anyway if you’re using formal English.

Terryxpress · Answer

Avoid - yes, if one wishes, and I gave the example "I admire your father" as a simple alternative. However, this then omits the sense that the father apparently has a number of/many admirers, of whom I am but one.

But the original question was, why "father's" and not "father" ? The simple answer is, because the author had used the double possessive 'father's'.

You have launched into a debate on the double possessive in current English...and I avoid debates.

Regards · Answer

Hi,
This article is indeed useful. Mignon Fogarty (Grammar Girl) definitely knows how to explain things well.

I find her explanations rather fruitful. Thanks.

Regards

Regards · Answer

Hi,

Terryxpress The simple answer is, because the author had used the double possessive 'father's'.

I'm an admirer of your father's is not wrong, but I would avoid using the double possessive here.

I think both CJ and Mignon Fogarty spelled out why in a case like this using the double possessive

is not so common and effective.

Regards

Englishnewbie · Answer

My head is spinning.

But thanks!

was a devout admirer of

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