LJ 2 - P1 Possessive Form (Genitive)

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 1-4

English Skills: Grammar 

English Skills: Grammar 

'That is the dog of my brother'

English Skills: Grammar 

'That is the dog of my brother'

'That is my brother's dog'

English Skills: Grammar 

'That is the house's door'

English Skills: Grammar 

'That is the house's door'

'That is the door of the house'

To show possession in English, you usually use the genitive.

Note: this differs from how you show possession in Dutch!

This lesson you're going to learn when and how to use the genitive. This will be important knowledge for your writing exam.

Use of the possessive (bezitsvorm):

The genitive is: 's or '

The possessive form can also be: of

 This lesson you will learn when to use which form.

Use of the possessive form:

1. People or animals: 's 

For example:

- Jonathan's bank card

- The customer's name

- I stayed at my aunt's (house)

- The dog's tail

- The cat's basket

Use of the possessive form:

Note: if a name ends in -s you can use both 's or '

For example:

- James's bank card / James' bank card

- Jess's pet squirrel / Jess' pet squirrel

- Charles's wife / Charles' wife

- The Jones's holiday home / The Jones' holiday home

Use of the possessive form:

2. Expressions of time (uitdrukkingen die tijd aangeven): 's 

For example:

- Yesterday's news

- Today's paper

- Sunday's match

- An hour's delay

Use of the possessive form:

Jack is ...... brother.

1. Kate's
2. Kates
3. Kates'

She told him about ......... episode of Stranger Things

1. yesterdays
2. yesterday's
3. yesterdays'

....... parents are renowned scientists.

1. Tobias'
2. Tobias's
3. Tobias
4. Both A and B are correct

This ...... venom is the most deadly of all.

1. snakes
2. snakes'
3. snake's
4. Both B and C are correct

3. Plurals (meervouden) for people and animals ending in -s: ' 

For example:

- The ladies'  toilet

- The customers' names

- My parents'  house

- The horses'  stables

Use of the possessive form:

4. Things and geographical names: of

For example:

- The name of  the ship

- The roof of  the house

- The capital of  The Netherlands

- The national language of  France

Use of the possessive form:

...... ears are very large.

1. Elephant's
2. Elephants
3. Elephants'
4. Both A and B are correct

Where are the ...... changing rooms?

1. ladies's
2. ladies
3. ladies'
4. Both A and C are correct

Which is correct?

1. The road's king.
2. The king of the road.

Which is correct?

1. The house's door.
2. The door of the house.

1. People and animals: 's

2. Expressions of time: 's

3. Names ending in -s: 's or '

4. Plurals of people and animals ending in -s: '

5. Things and geographical names: of

Recap:

There are a few instances in which more than one of the forms we have discussed is correct, but if you stick to the rules above you'll get it right.

Note:

The ...... dogs.

1. queens
2. queens'
3. queen's

Which is correct?

1. The country's flag.
2. The flag of the country.

Which is correct?

1. The room's window.
2. The window of the room.

The ...... bedroom is upstairs.

1. childrens
2. childrens'
3. children's

Prince ...... crown.

1. Charles'
2. Charles's
3. Both A and B are correct

Let's meet at ........ for lunch.

1. John'
2. John's
3. Johns'
4. Johns

Which is correct?

1. The car's wheel.
2. The wheel of the car.

Which is correct?

1. The legs of the table.
2. The table's legs.

Jill is my ....... friend.

1. sister's
2. sisters
3. sisters'
4. Both A and C are correct