Possessive case in English for children. Cases in English: case systems, the use of prepositional structures

What is a case? It is a category in grammar that displays the relationship of a noun to other words in a sentence. Today we are talking about the role played and how the possessive case of nouns is formed in English.

History of the language

Case is an integral "attribute" of a noun. In ancient times, Old English was rich in cases. It contained the nominative, genitive, dative, accusative and instrumental cases. However, its descendant, modern English, cannot boast of that many. In his "arsenal" there are only two cases - common (Common case) and possessive (Possessive case).

Meaning

It is not difficult to guess the meaning of the possessive case. The name speaks for itself: "to attract" - to belong. In other words, it reflects the belonging of an object, quality or attribute to another object:

• The boy's ball - The boy's ball (the boy owns the ball);
• The doctor's pen - Doctor's pen (the pen belongs to the doctor);
• The driver's car - The driver's car (the car belongs to the driver).

It should be noted that only animate nouns (boy - boy, doctor - doctor, driver - driver) have the possessive case in English. If we are talking about the belonging of one object to another inanimate object, then a construction with the preposition of (the door of the car is a car door) is used.

Education

As you can see from the examples above, possessive nouns in English are formed with an apostrophe (‘) and an ending (-s). The rule is simple and straightforward, but not without peculiarities and nuances. They are described in detail in the following table:

Inanimate nouns for distance and time can be possessive (six months ’trip is a six-month trip, a night’s walk is a night walk). Exceptions also include combinations consisting of the names of cities, countries, the words Earth (Earth), world (world), nature (nature), ship (ship): world’s end - the end of the world, nature’s protection - protection of nature.

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A long time ago, in good old England, nouns changed not only in gender and number, which we are used to in modern English, but there were five main cases! Wed there are six of them in Russian. Moreover, nouns were divided into two categories of declension: strong and weak. Depending on the type of declension, different endings were added to the noun.

Fortunately for all modern English learners, today there are only three cases left: Nominative, Accusative and Genitive. The genitive case is often called the Possessive Case. Today we will talk about him.

Formation of the possessive case

Examples using the Possessive Case

The boy`s cat boy's cat that man`s hat that man’s hat my father`s friend my dad’s friend his teacher`s mom his teacher’s mom I don’t get on well with Sam’s wife. I don't get along very well with my wife Sema. I've seen Andy's car in the yard. I saw Andy's car in the yard.

Using the possessive case

The possessive case answers the question “ Whose?”(Whose?) And serves as a definition in the sentence. With the Possessive Case, we can show belonging or kinship, friendship.

Some nuances of use.

Typically, the possessive with ending ’s form animate nouns (the bird`s tail - the tail of a bird, the King`s castle - the king's castle).
To show the relationship of belonging in inanimate nouns, it is necessary to use the turnover with preposition of (the door of the car is a car door, the page of the book is a book page).
But there are a number of exceptions to the rule.

Examples of unusual formation and use of the Possessive case

In Russian there are 6 cases, and in English - only 2. Does this mean that they do not need to be studied? It's over, no. Without knowing the rules for the formation of cases and the expression of case relations, you will not be able to freely operate with vocabulary and build grammatically correct and understandable phrases. So let's consider cases in more detail.

What are the English cases?

• General case, which is divided into subjective and objective:
  • Subjective case, which is also called nominal. It indicates that the part of speech in the sentence performs the functions of the subject. This is true for both nouns and pronouns.
  • Objective case or Used to indicate a noun or pronoun in the recipient function of an action. For nouns this is not very relevant, but in the case of personal pronouns oblique case significantly affects the form of the word.
• Possessive or Possessive It is used to express the ownership of some objects or subjects to others.

Below we will look at the cases in more detail.

Important! Only nouns in the possessive case change their form in oral speech and writing. It is formed by adding the ending to the word - s. In other cases, nouns do not change their form. This is why it is often said that English is the easiest language to learn. However, the situation is different with pronouns. Their form changes depending on the case, and it is most convenient to trace these changes using the example of personal pronouns,

Common case of nouns

In general, if a noun is used without a preposition, its function in a sentence depends on where it stands. This is achieved due to the analytical nature of the language, when, instead of ending, to express case relations, a change in the place of a word in a sentence and the addition of prepositions are used. This is one of the reasons why English is considered the easiest language to learn. As such, there are no complex rules for changing words by case, moreover, the absence of designations in writing for grammatical genders greatly simplifies the matter.

Nouns without prepositions and their translation

If a noun comes before the predicate in an affirmative sentence or before an auxiliary verb in an interrogative, then in the sentence it plays the role of a subject and is translated in the nominative case.

If the noun comes after the predicate in the function, then it is translated by the accusative case.

If between the direct object and the predicate there is a noun without a preposition in the function of the object, then it is translated in the accusative case.

Nouns with prepositions and their translations

To make it easier to understand prepositions and case relations, we put them in a table. The table shows the cases of pronouns and nouns, the prepositions with which they are indicated in English, and examples with translation.

Possessive

Possessive nouns always denote belonging and come before the noun they define. Only animate nouns are used in the possessive case. Inanimate nouns are used in this case only in some cases.

How is the possessive case formed? For animate nouns

For animate nouns that stand in singular. h., the possessive is formed with the ending ’s, which is added to the word:

the Queen's crown - the Queen's crown, the dog's bone - a dog's bone, Mike's dad - Mike's dad

If an animated noun ends in -s, then either simply ‘or‘ ’is added to it:

Jhones's friend = Jhones' friend - Jones's friend

The plural is easier. If you need to put a noun in the plural. in the possessive case only an apostrophe is added - '. Phonetically, no changes occur. For example:

boys ’toys - toys of boys

If the noun forms a plural according to other rules, that for them the possessive case is formed in the same way as in the first case - by adding the ending - 's:

Child's cat - children’s cat - children's cat

goose's feather - geese's feather - goose feathers

What inanimate nouns are used in the possessive case?

Below, in the form of a table, we will consider which groups of inanimate nouns are used in the possessive case:

Pronoun cases: what you need to know

Pronouns have the same cases as nouns. However, if nouns undergo minor changes when expressing case relations, then pronouns can completely change their form. This is best seen in the example of personal pronouns in the plural, which almost completely change their form. Interrogative and relative pronouns also change, but remain recognizable and intuitive to use.

English has two cases: common and possessive. Let's analyze each one separately.

Common case - Common case

Nouns in the general case are used in the functions of the subject (and correspond to the noun in the nominative case in Russian), the nominal part of the compound predicate, the addition, and also the circumstance.

The common case form on its own, without the help of additional means, cannot convey the relationship of a noun to other words in a sentence. Such additional means in English are the order of words in the sentence and prepositions: of - corresponds to the genitive case, to - the dative case, by, with - the instrumental case, of, about - the prepositional case with the prepositions "about" and "about".

For example:

The dean spoke of our faculty.
The dean (the dean - nominative) told about our faculty.

Students greeted the dean.
The students greeted the dean (accusative).

The lecture of the dean was listened to with great attention.
The dean's lecture (genitive) was listened to with great attention.

A very interesting story was told by the dean.
A very interesting story was told by the dean (instrumental).

He missed many lectures and had to explain the reason to the dean.
He missed many lectures and must explain the reason to the dean (dative case).

She told me many interesting things about our new dean.
She told me a lot of interesting things about our new dean (prepositional case).

Possessive case - Possessive case

Possessive nouns denote the belonging of an object or concept, answering the question whose? - whose?, or attitude to another subject, answering the questions what? - what ?, how much? - how? etc. The possessive case is used in the definition function and comes before the word being defined.

My sister "s room ... My sister's room ...

The possessive case is formed:

Using the apostrophe (") and the letter s (" s) for singular nouns and plural nouns without the -s ending:

the boy "s room - the boy's room, Tom" s book - the book of Tom, the men "s hats - the hats of men, women" s work - the work of women.

Only with the apostrophe (") for plural nouns ending in -s:

the boys "room - the boys room, the students answers - students' answers.

In the form of the possessive case, the following are used:

Mainly nouns denoting animate objects:

my teacher "s pen is my teacher's pen. Tom" s friends are Tom's friends.

Nouns denoting:

time - with words such as minute, hour, day, week, night, month, year, while expressing the meanings "during", "for a period", etc. (unlike cases when this case is not used - see item 2 of the next paragraph):

today "s newspapers - today's newspapers, an hour" s absence - absence for an hour, a week "s holiday - a week vacation, a year" s journey - a journey that lasts a year;

distance:

a mile s distance - distance in a mile, two kilometers "walk - path in two kilometers;

price:

ten dollars worth of chocolate - $ 10 chocolate;

names of stars and planets:

the Sun "s rays - sun rays, the Moon" s light - moonlight, the Earth "s resources - resources of the Earth;

names of countries, cities, etc.:

the United States "participation - the participation of the United States, Moscow s squares - the squares of Moscow, this Liverpool" s Cathedral - this Liverpool cathedral;

moving mechanisms or machine parts (in the language of technical literature):

the plane "s propellers - aircraft propellers.

Notes (edit)

Relationships expressed using the possessive case can be conveyed by a construction with the preposition of:

France "s economy - the economy of France - the economy of France.

In cases where the belonging of something to something is expressed (that is, belonging to an inanimate object), then, as a rule, a construction with the preposition of is used:

the walls of the town - city walls, the legs of the table - table legs.

Possessive nouns can be used without a subsequent noun indicating location. In this case, the possessive case has a local meaning.

For example: at my sister "s - in my sister's house, at the baker" s - in a bakery.

The possessive case is not used:

If of two, usually inanimate, nouns, the first acts as a definition with a pronounced meaning "characteristic, common, used for something," etc., and the combination is considered as a single, integral concept:

a street lamp is a street lamp and a newspaper article is a newspaper article.

With words that express time and serve as definitions:

summer holidays - summer holidays, November fogs - November fogs, birthday party - birthday party (time is expressed in terms of age).

With the names of cities, districts, proper names, etc., when they are an integral element of the name:

the Gomel University - Gomel University, "The Vitebsk Worker" - "Vitebsk worker" (newspaper), the Pushkin Museum - Pushkin Museum.

With the names of garments, equipment with shades of the meaning described in clause I:

a football ground - football ground, a coffee cup - coffee cup.

The possessive case in English also has names Possesive case or Genetive Case... If you want to say that some thing belongs to someone, you must use exactly possessive. As a rule, the possessive case can only be used with animate nouns, but there are some exceptions,
which we will talk about below. By the way, I also have a wonderful test of possessive knowledge. If you are looking for exercises for the possessive case -

In English, the possessive is expressed by ‘s (apostrophe es) or simply" (apostrophe).

Prince's duty - the duty (who? Whose?) Of the prince;

Students ’books - textbooks (who? Whose?) Students.

As you can see, it is convenient to translate phrases containing the possessive case from the end.

The formation of the possessive case in English.

apostrophe only (') in the following cases:

1. with plural nouns if the plural is formed by adding the ending -S / -ES

• doctors' advice - advice from doctors,
• boys ’trains - trains of boys.

1. with Greek polysyllabic first and last names ending in -S

• Socrates' works - works of Socrates,
• Xerxes' army - Xerxes army.

1. with well-known surnames ending in -S

• Yeats ’poetry - poetry of Yeats,
• Burns'poems - poems by Burns

(however, some grammars allow two spellings in this case: Dickens' novels or Dickens's novels).

To form the possessive case, we will use only apostrophe es ('s) in the following cases:

1. with singular nouns

• the girl's eyes - the girl's eyes,
• the Dad's study - dad's study.

1. With plural nouns, if the plural was formed not according to the rule of adding the ending -S / -ES.

• сhildren's games - games for children,
• women’s wishes - female desires.

Pay attention to education possessive compound nouns... There is a difference here from the formation of the plural. Let's take a closer look at this point, since even very literate and knowledgeable people very often make mistakes on this issue. So let's take a look at the plate.

More examples:

The editor-in-chief’s order - order of the editor-in-chief

The commander-in-chief’s qualification

The passer-by's comment - a passer-by's comment

A special feature of the possessive case in English is the existence of the so-called group possessive case - group genitive... Group genitive denotes the phenomenon of adding "s or" not to one noun, but to

• Group of nouns

Mum and dad's wish - wish of mom and dad

• to a whole phrase containing a noun

the secretary of states’s private room - the private room of the secretary of state

• to group noun + pronoun

someone else’s benefit

• to a phrase with a numeral at the end

in an hour or two’s time - in an hour or two

Note. That in such cases, "s or" are added exclusively to the end element... The only time you need to be careful is when it comes to belonging to multiple nouns.

We considered the phrase mum and dad’s wish - the desire of mom and dad. In this context, we are talking about the common desire of dad and mom. In this case, "s or" is added to the final element. If the phrase was a slightly different mum "s and dad’s wishes in the meaning of the wishes of dad and mom (each has their own), then" s or ‘would be added to each element.

So in the phrase Bach’s and Mozart’s music we add "s to each element, since Bach and Mozart do not have the same music - everyone has their own.

Use cases of the possessive in English.

We are not allowed to use Possessive Case in English in the same way as we use in Russian. Sometimes the relationship of belonging needs to be expressed using the phrase with of.

So, for example, we cannot say table "s leg - the leg of the table, we must say - the leg of the table.

So when can you use a genetive case?

The possessive case in English is used:

• with nouns for people and animals

the swallow's nest - swallow's nest

Molly's idea - molly's idea

• with words indicating time or distance

night’s rest - night rest

a month absence - monthly absence / absence

a minute’s silence - minute silence

a mile's distance - distance in a mile

Please note that with the words today, yesterday and tomorrow, both variants of the formation of the possessive case are possible:

today "s papers = the papers of today

• with names of countries and cities

Britain's museums - museums in Britain

London's sights - sights of London

• with the names of newspapers

the Guardian's analysis - Guardian analysis

• with the names of organizations and with the words company, firm, government, organization

the company’s plans - company plans

the Geographical Society's gold medal - Geographical Society gold medal

• with the words world, country, nation, town, city

the nation’s wealth - the welfare of the nation

• with the words ship, boat, car

the car's wheel - car wheel

• with the names of planets and satellites

the sun "s rays - sun rays

• with some inanimate nouns in fixed expressions

Absolute genitive and double genitive

Absolute genitive

Usually, a construct containing a possessive case has the following structure:

Possessive noun (numeral / pronoun) + noun

However, there are also cases when a noun in the possessive case is not followed by another noun. In such a case, we are dealing with absolute possessive(Absolute genetive). It is used in several cases:

• to avoid repetition (tautology)

Our car is faster than Peter's.

• after the preposition of

A friend of my mother’s, a cousin of my husband’s

• for the names of shops, places and other institutions

At the butcher’s, at the baker’s, at Timothy’s, at my uncle’s

St. Paul's (Cathedral), St. James's (Palace)

Double genitive

It is rare to find a noun defined by two consecutive phrases in the possessive case:

• My mother’s father’s people - people of my mother’s father
• The boy's half-hour's run - boy's half-hour run

A similar phenomenon is called the double possessive case - Double Genitive.