Post on 05-Apr-2018
7/31/2019 GrammarUpL1P2
1/3
Level 1 Part 2 Genitive
The genitive or possessive case is another difficult area for L2 speakers and writers. One issue is the
difference between spoken and written. Another is the number of options for basically saying the
same thing. Modern English favours any shortcut available. The longer forms are preserved as
options. But generally genitive can be used to cram in information. Look through these simple
guidelines and try the exercise afterwards.
1:2 The genitive's is used with nouns not ending in s:
a mechanic's job the director's decision
a secretary's enthusiasm the industry's
spokesperson
the agent's (office) the board's request
the MD's signature Russia's exports
' is used with nouns ending in s:
workers' rights the cleaners' cupboard
the members' lounge the Simpsons' caravan
ote: the article before the person or thing 'possessed' disappears:
the jet engines of the plane = the plane's jet engines
the military might of America = America's military might
Exercise 1
Fill the gaps with the correct form of the genitive. Remember: short is not always best, so keep an
open mind. But here the idea is to use the shorter genitive form.
genitive in full
........................................ can be really punishing. the schedule of a trainee
........................................ needs to be suitable for
work.
the dress of an employee
........................................ was hardly ground-
breaking.
the input of Charles
Glancing through ........................................ I began to
feel worried.
the balance sheets of the company
Grammar Up!
1
7/31/2019 GrammarUpL1P2
2/3
He ran an errand down to ........................................ . the office of the estate agent
Health and safety has been prioritised
at ........................................ .
the request of the Board
I was amazed at ........................................ . the facilities of the venue
........................................ works in Accounts. a/the friend of my mother-in-law
She's at ........................................ . the highpoint of her career
........................................ have far exceeded its
exports this year.
the imports of Sweden
........................................ were spotlessly clean. the quarters of the crew
........................................ saved a lot of time. the new system of the foreman
The letter recognised ........................................ to the
project.
the contribution of the Vice President
........................................ were well received. the ideas of the Managing Director
The new database should
demonstrate ........................................ in our industry.
the growing importance of IT
........................................ steadied financial markets. the bail-out plan of the president
........................................ had long since passed. the sell-by-date of the product
The team members failed to see the funny side
of ........................................ .
the jokes of Charlie
........................................ projected a modern image. the impressive glass and steel exterior ofthe headquarters
Grammar Up!
2
7/31/2019 GrammarUpL1P2
3/3
There seems to be no end
to ........................................ .
the economic growth of China
Exercise 2
Fill the gaps with the correct form of the genitive. Plurals provide particular problems. Check out
these and write out in genitive.
parts in full
Departments - project groups the departments project groups
Year travel expenses
Vehicles windows
Universities websites
Lawyers laptops
Software weaknesses
Financial advisors workstations
Laser printers toner cartridges
Keyboard shift keys
Laboratories back-up drives
Companies intranets
Grammar Up!
3