As far as I know, the rule goes that ‘s is used to make possessive forms of abbreviations. But I’ve noticed some inconsistencies: … as it was announced that the Uefa’s Executive Committee had overwhelmingly voted to award… …a member of the UEFA’s HatTrick Committee. vs: Women to be represented on the UEFA board for … Read more
What is the possessive form of disease, as in “Lyme disease’s symptoms” I wouldn’t think to just use an apostrophe – disease’ – as it doesn’t end in an “s,” but disease’s doesn’t look quite right and is highlighted by spellcheck (not that that really means anything). Answer “Disease symptoms” is a correct, or at … Read more
Which one is correct? It is my friend’s, Adam’s birthday. It is my friend, Adam’s birthday. Does the word ‘friend’ need an apostrophe to show possession? Answer If using the nonrestrictive (as discussed in another answer), I would simply rephrase the sentence to avoid the possessive: It’s the birthday of my friend, Adam. With this, … Read more
I’m writing a sentence, and I’m not sure if it’s grammatically correct. Here are my partner, Jane Doe, and I’s completed assignment. Would this be alright? I never know how to properly use possessives when I’m including myself and someone else. Also, in case you didn’t see my comment below, I need to include my … Read more
Say a list of things has already been mentioned. How do I refer to an attribute of the first thing in said list? “The first-of-these’s attribute” “The first’s attribute” edit: thanks for the unexplained downvotes, really helpful(!) Answer This seems to be a pertinent question as I haven’t seen this discussed in any grammar or … Read more
I wonder where we can make genitive without ‘s or of. I know that using “of” in “dorm room door” might be complicated but the question is when we are allowed to make such phrases. Answer Swan in Practical English Usage has an entry called noun + noun: advanced points. In the parts section (p360) … Read more
I’m writing about the captains of sport teams. Each team has one and only one captain. I’m confused on how to express this : We will communicate this information to … each team captain each team’s captain each teams captain each teams’ captain It’s my understanding that each is followed by a singular as per … Read more
I would like to ask about the grammaticality of a ‘that’ relative clause modifying a noun phrase that begins with a possessive pronoun. Please consider these examples: Please send in your technician that I can talk to. They scrapped our project that had taken us so much effort. From a somewhat prescriptive standpoint (I’m trying … Read more
For a very long time now I’ve been using “it’s” as the possessive form for “it”. There have been some people that have said “its” is the possessive form, but I’m not sure if that’s true. “It’s” seems a lot more like a possessive. Is “it’s” or “its” the possessive form of “it”? Answer ‘It’s’ … Read more
Which is correct: Mary Queen of Scots birthplace Mary Queen of Scots’ birthplace? Answer If you wish to make a possessive of a longer title — grammatically a noun phrase consisting of a noun and an appositive — you may attach an ’s to the end of the phrase. Since Scots is plural, however, you … Read more
