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Virginiajean Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Why we generally use a month's...?

Why we generally use, "a month's leave", when it 'seems' that it means to be of possession to a certain month, instead of completely referring to one full month?

Would it be correct to say, "the boss granted Jane a month leave"?

Or should I have to use "a month's leave"?
  

Top answer

As you've come to realize English doesn't handle the possessive well. We say "a month's leave" but "a table leg" (not a table's leg). I'm not familiar with any rules that'll tell you which one to use.

— Ivanhr

  • As you've come to realize English doesn't handle the possessive well.
  • We say "a month's leave" but "a table leg" (not a table's leg).
  • I'm not familiar with any rules that'll tell you which one to use.
  • This could easily be one of the most difficult points of English grammar (at least for us non-natives).
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8 Answers
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As you've come to realize English doesn't handle the possessive well. We say "a month's leave" but "a table leg" (not a table's leg). I'm not familiar with any rules that'll tell you which one to use.

This could easily be one of the most difficult points of English grammar (at least for us non-natives).
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VirginiajeanWould it be correct to say, "the boss granted Jane a month leave"?
No.
VirginiajeanOr should do I have to use "a month's leave"?
Yes.
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Aspara Gus, may I know the reason why we use the possessive form, which to me, seems no to 'really' imply a full month leave, but rather, a leave 'just' belonging to that month?

And also, why is "should have" a wrong compound verb?
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VirginiajeanAspara Gus, may I know the reason why we use the possessive form, which to me, seems no to 'really' imply a full month leave, but rather, a leave 'just' belonging to that month?
My guess is as good as yours. I can't add much more to Ivanhr's post.
VirginiajeanAnd also, why is "should have" a wrong compound verb?
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Virginiajeanit 'seems' that it means to be of possession to a certain month
The idea of belonging is not the only idea associated with the use of 's.

A month's leave is a leave that lasts the duration of one month. You can also express it as a leave of one month.

The use of 's with periods of time is probab
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CalifJim, is there any offense in using "a month leave"? Just as how we commonly use nouns as modifiers like, 'the father cat'.
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Virginiajean... is there any offense in using "a month leave"?
It is not correct English, as AG has already told you.
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Virginiajeana month leave
Not correct.
Virginiajeanhow we commonly use nouns as modifiers like, 'the father cat'.
Noun modifiers are ubiquitous in English. They are as common as mud. There are hundreds and hundreds of them.

CJ
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