is there any rule about the possesives in english?

Question

for example english u say the mary's house. u dont say the house of mary, u dont say the team of oliver, u say oliver's team, I dont understand how to make a possive in english. I always get confused with this. sometimes u say the john's book or the thieves hands.. or something could you clear explain me? I speak spanish and I live in mexico it's very hard to me this topic in english thanks

Answer 1

The general rule is that you use 's for possession by living things - people, animals - and things that are proper nouns; that means those that start with a capital letter (Mexico City's traffic jams for example).

For all other nouns, use the 'of', just like Spanish. - the edge of the desk, the color of the house, etc.

Some writers and speakers use the 's for nonliving things, and there are some who use the 'of' for living things. These are almost a case by case situation as to whether they sound right in English. Stick with the general rule above and you will never be wrong and will always be understood.

Answer 2

In many languages like Spanish, French and Italian, the possessive is made using the word 'OF" , this happens in English sometimes but usually in very formal or old fashioned English eg. in the Bible - " This is the WORD OF GOD" In modern English we use the APOSTROPHE to indicate the POSSESSIVE eg. The is Lizzie's answer.

Answer 3

You are good enough to figure out that then you will be able to learn other thinks to. Dont spent much time answering question but spent time on reading basic english books then go to advance.

Answer 4

yes there are rules for possessives.
for example, you are correct in all of your examples...
you add the apostrophe 's' when the noun is singular and if it is plural ending in "s" then you only add the apostophe.
there are other rules of grammar to follow as well... you are learning very well, keep up the good work...