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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Why the apostrophe?

Consider the following excerpt from a popular crime novel

"...but in a car park west of Snorrabraut, by the Dominus Medica health centre, several minutes' walk from Holberg's home."

I cannot understand why the apostrophe after 'minutes' is necessary. Could someone please explain it to me?
  

Top answer

It is called the 'genitive of measure'. Here is another odd genitive, the 'genitive of apposition': in Dublin's fair city.

— Mister Micawber

  • It is called the 'genitive of measure'.
  • Here is another odd genitive, the 'genitive of apposition': in Dublin's fair city.
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3 Answers
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It is called the 'genitive of measure'.

Here is another odd genitive, the 'genitive of apposition': in Dublin's fair city.
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Yes, I looked it up and it said it is not necessary to make use of the genitive of measure or the genitive of apposition, except in cases where people are accustomed to seeing a phrase used that way.

For instance, the example you cited 'In Dublin's fair city' is an odd construction that is more commonly phrased, 'In the fair city of Dublin.'

Do you agree?
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For instance, the example you cited 'In Dublin's fair city' is an odd construction that is more commonly phrased, 'In the fair city of Dublin.' Do you agree?-- No; it doesn't fit the rhyme or the meter.
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