Grammar - Advanced Genitive Case (Possessive S)

This lesson explores advanced applications of the genitive case, including stylistic variations, double possessives, possessive gerunds, and complex noun phrases. These structures are essential for precise and sophisticated expression in written and spoken English.

1 - The Double Genitive (Of + Possessive)

Used to emphasize ownership or imply a partitive meaning (one of many).

Structure: [Noun] + of + [Possessive Pronoun/Noun’s]

Examples:

• A friend of mine told me the news. (Not just "a friend," but one of my friends.)
• That book of Maria’s is fascinating. (One of Maria’s many books.)
• A student of the professor’s won the award. (One of the professor’s students.)

⚠️ Note: Avoid redundancy 

• ✗ a friend of my friend’s 
• ✓ a friend of my friend

2 - Possessive Gerunds (-ing Verbs as Nouns)

When a gerund (verb + -ing functioning as a noun) takes a possessive, the subject is in the genitive case for formal or written contexts.

Structure: [Possessive] + [Gerund]

Examples:

• Maria’s singing impressed everyone. (More formal than "Maria singing.")
• I was surprised by the company’s sudden closing.

3 - Complex Noun Phrases (Group Possessives)

When possession involves multi-word phrases, the ’s attaches to the final element.

Examples:

• The president of France’s speech was televised. (Not "The president’s of France speech.")
• The woman I met yesterday’s husband is a doctor. (Colloquial but grammatically correct.)
• Someone else’s problem shouldn’t be your concern.

⚠️ Clarity tip: Rephrase ambiguous constructions 

• ✗ The teacher of the student’s book
• ✓ The student’s teacher’s book

4 - Elliptical Genitive (Omitting the Noun)

The possessed noun is omitted when implied (common for locations and relationships).

Examples:

• I’m going to my uncle’s (house).
• Let’s meet at Sarah’s (apartment).
• The dentist’s (office) is on Main Street.

5 - Stylistic Choices with Names Ending in -S

Writers and speakers may choose between:

Traditional style (apostrophe only): Jesus’ teachings, Dickens’ novels

Modern style (’s): Jesus’s parables, Dickens’s stories

⚠️ Guidelines:

• Prefer ’s for shorter names (James’s car).
• Prefer ’ for classical/long names (Socrates’ philosophy).

ACTIVITIES

Compose 3 sentences demonstrating the genitive case for the situations we’ve studied. Post them in the comments below!

NOTES

This lesson covers different levels:

B2: Double Genitive / Possessive Gerunds / Group Possessives (items from 1 to 3).

C1: Stylistic -s Names / Elliptical Genitive / Ambiguity Resolution (items from 3 to 5).

For levels A1-B1, click here.