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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

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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

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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

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