MarvinTheMartian  +  593445 Mon, 24 Nov 08 09:47 PM Hi, Which of these sentences sounds best and why? "The only kid of hers she has no control over is her oldest son." or "The only one of her kids she has no control over is her oldest son." Thanks in advance. MarvinTheMartian Joined on Fri, Jan 18 2008 Full Member 203 A native English speaker who frequently finds himself as confused and clueless as a beginner as a result of being exposed to broken English on a daily basis.

	Philip  +  593477 Mon, 24 Nov 08 10:24 PM Most will accept either.  I prefer the second, because I don't like the double possessive (of + hers). Philip Joined on Thu, Jun 23 2005 Veteran Member 8,738 At reise er at leve! - H. C. Andersen Possessives

	CalifJim  +  593498 Mon, 24 Nov 08 10:56 PM MarvinTheMartian “Which of these sentences sounds best ...? ”   "The only one of her kids she has no control over is her oldest son." MarvinTheMartian “why?” I'm a creature of habit.  I hear it this way and say it this way all the time.  Why get creative and cute when you can just fall back on the patterns everybody uses?  CJ  CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,412 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

	CalifJim  +  593711 Tue, 25 Nov 08 03:09 AM MarvinTheMartian “but isn't that a bit lazy?” Is there something wrong with being lazy?  CJ  CalifJim