The possessive form and of

A Form

We use the possessive of a noun in phrases like the boy's name and Vicky's room. We form the possessive like this.

Singular noun: 's boy -> boy's Vicky -> Vicky's

Plural noun ending in s: ' boys -> boys' tourists -> tourists'

Plural noun not ending in s: 's men -> men's children -> children's

We can use the possessive form with another noun or on its own.

I've met Rachel's family, but I haven't met Vicky's. (Vicky's - Vicky's family)

Compare these structures.

THE POSSESSIVE FORM PHRASE WITH OF

the boy's name the name of the boy

the boys' names the names of the boys

the men's names the names of the men

Sometimes we can use either the possessive (the boy's name) or a phrase with of (the name of the boy), but often only one is possible.

We normally use the possessive with people and animals.

my friend's house Claire's idea Daniel's brother our neighbour's garden the dog's owner

the policemen's uniforms the women's changing room the Parkers' car

We normally use of with things, and not the possessive form.

the side of the house NOT the house's side

the result of the match NOT the match's result

the day of the meeting NOT the meeting's day

As the meaning gets confusing we use of with people when there is a long phrase.

the house of one of our teachers at college NOT one of our teacher at college's house

the address of those people we met in Spain NOT those people who we met in Spain's address

We can use both structures for places and organizations.

London's museums OR the museums of London

the earth's atmosphere OR the atmosphere of the earth

the company's future OR the future of the company

the government's intentions OR the intentions of the government

We can use the possessive to say 'when' or 'how long'.

last week's concert today's TV programmes yesterday's news about a month's work

a moment's silence ten minutes' walk

Note also: in two months' time (two months from now) a week's wages (wages for a week)