How to use the: 's

Share on Facebook

	Marcus  #198969  Mon, 20 Feb 06 01:56 PM When is it that I can use this? I know after names of people, but I found it also after a city, for example: "London's inhabitans". May you explain me all the cases in which I can use it? Thanks, Marcus.    Marcus Joined on Sat, Feb 18 2006 New Member (33) Call me Jen please, I hate my name.

	Jay_zzz0  #198983  Mon, 20 Feb 06 02:37 PM Hi Marcus, The 's is called "possesive" in grammar.  For instance, you want to say a book belongs to your friend, say, Max.  You'll say "This is his book."  OR "This is Max's book" In your example, "London's inhabitants" can be rewrite as "inhabitants of London".    Jay_zzz0 Joined on Sun, Nov 27 2005 UK Full Member (114)
Select Tags... SaveCancel Grammar

	Marcus  #198990  Mon, 20 Feb 06 02:53 PM I know that. I wanna know why I can use it in front of a city. Marcus.    Marcus

	nona the brit  #199012  Mon, 20 Feb 06 03:25 PM Because things 'belong' to cities. The people, the roads, the buildings, the rivers, the markets, the shops, the buses etc.    nona the brit Joined on Wed, Sep 22 2004 England Veteran Member (11,450) The name says it all.

	Marcus  #199015  Mon, 20 Feb 06 03:30 PM People belong to the city? May you explain me why please? However, is there any other case in which I must use the 's?    Marcus

	nona the brit  #199025  Mon, 20 Feb 06 03:54 PM I know what you mean. It seemed obvious until you asked about it... Belonging/possessive here is not in the sense of 'legally owning'. It means the A of B = B's A. So, the streets of the city - the city's streets. The toy of the baby - the baby's toy. The saddle of the horse - the horse's saddle. The smile of Pete - Pete's smile    nona the brit
Possessives

	Marcus  #199072  Mon, 20 Feb 06 07:25 PM So everytime I have "A of B" I can do "B's A" Nona? Thank you so much for your explaination anyway, it did help a lot. Marcus.    Marcus

	nona the brit  #199295  Tue, 21 Feb 06 11:15 AM Well I'd be reluctant to say everytime because probably an example of a time when it wouldn't work would come back to bite me, but mostly, yes. As long as B is a noun.    nona the brit
Nouns