Page 217 - Oxford_English_Grammar_Course_Basic_2015

's and s' possessive: use Ian's car; the boss's car

Possessive nouns with's or s' take the place of the.

the car that belongs to Ian — Ian's car (NOT lan's-the-ear) the shoes that belong to Jo —► Jo's shoes
But a possessive noun can have its own article.

the car that belongs to the boss —► the boss's car

the shoes that belong to the children —►the children's shoes
^ Make's or s' possessive structures.

► The dog belongs to Joe. .......................................

► The dog belongs to the postman. ....................
1 The house belongs to Astrid............................................................

2 The house belongs to the doctors............................................................
3 The book belongs to Oliver and Carla............................................................
4 The car belongs to the teacher............................................................

5 The money belongs to the girls............................................................
6 The money belongs to Susan............................................................

^ Change the sentences.

► The classes are using the new books, {the French teachers)
The French teachers' classes are using the i^ w boofes.

1 The car is parked in front of the house, {the builder; Anna)
.......................................................................... car is parked in front o f............................................house.
2 Do you know the address? {the tall woman)

3 Their bedtime is eight o'clock, {the children)

4 The brothers are all in the army. {Alice and Pat)

We use possessive's and s' mostly to talk about people and animals, not things: for example their possessions,
experience, relationships (family, friends etc), parts of the body.
Ann's purse Ann's English lessons Ann's holiday Ann's husband Ann's friend
my dad's book (NOT the book of my dad) my horse's ears (NOT the ears of my horse)
BUT the roof of the house (NOT the house's roof) the i

^ Write two sentences for each item.
► Is the door open? {Paul; the library)
Is Paul's door oyeia,? Is the door o f the lib ra ry opei/v?
1 What's the name? {your brother; that book)

2 Is there anything in the pockets? {the children; that coat)

3 You can see the church from the window. {Emma; the living room)

4 Why are the arms so dirty? {John; your chair)

202 NOUNS