for English teachers, professors and other related professionals only. How do we form the possessive of 2 nouns such as my sample above. thanks
2006-09-15 23:03:01 · 4 answers · asked by bogsDgreat 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
It depends on the meaning of the sentence.
"Eric and Jose's books" means that each of the books is jointly owned by Eric and Jose. [Each book you touch belongs to Eric AND Jose.]
"Eric's and Jose's books" implies that both Eric and Jose posess a book(s) individually. [When you pick up a book it belongs to either Eric OR Jose.]
2006-09-15 23:13:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm a technical writer and part-time Grammar Police, and I thought I knew the answer to your question. At least I looked it up, because - ta da - I was wrong!
Your first example, "Eric and Jose's books" is correct. From the Purdue Writing Lab:
• add 's to the last noun to show joint possession of an object:
Todd and Anne's apartment
2006-09-16 06:14:57 · answer #2 · answered by Mama Gretch 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
the 1st one.
2006-09-16 06:11:34 · answer #3 · answered by Ace 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"Mixed" is right. The other two are half-right.
2006-09-17 20:13:03 · answer #4 · answered by keepsondancing 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋