Exercise 82 — The Possessive Case
To form the possessive case of nouns add an apostrophe and s to all singular nouns, and to all plural nouns that do not end in s; if a plural noun ends in s add only an apostrophe; as, child’s, children’s, boys’.
Exception.—When, in long words, the additional s in the singular would cause a disagreeable sound, some writers use only the apostrophe; as,
We awaited the princess’s decision.
We awaited the princess’ decision.
It is often better in such cases to use a phrase; as,
We awaited the decision of the princess.
Thus, an of phrase may be used instead of the possessive case. In speaking of an inanimate object one should use it instead of the apostrophe and s; as, the top of the mountain. However, we use such expressions as last year’s prices.
When, as in the name of a firm, two or more nouns are taken together with the idea of common possession, the sign of the possessive is added to the last noun only. If separate possession is implied, the sign of the possessive is added to each noun; as,
Have you seen Wilson & King’s new building?
This is Mary and Helen’s room.
Is this Mary’s or Helen’s coat?
A noun or pronoun is in the possessive case before a verbal noun; as,
I prefer to have John’s studying done before dinner.
I prefer to have his studying done before dinner.
Write sentences expressing relation between the words in the following pairs. Use one of them in the possessive case or use an of phrase, whichever seems better.
| the manager, desk | city, harbor |
| desk, top drawer | proprietor, private office |
| book, cover | typewriter, keys |
| city, mayor | ledger, first page |
Bring to class five incorrect possessive phrases taken from advertisements. Explain and correct the mistakes.
Exercise 83
Which of the italicized words would you use? Why?
1. Have you heard of Mr. Bennett, Mr. Bennett’s being appointed chairman of the meeting?
2. It will probably delay him, his coming here.
3. I don’t understand him, his refusing to accept the position.
4. We have heard a great deal of him, his making a success of photography.
5. The man’s industry has resulted in him, his gaining fame.
6. Will you sign this permit for us, our visiting the factory?
7. What do you say to us, our making some candy?
8. I am very sorry that me, my interrupting you yesterday delayed your work.
9. The machine is in excellent condition. There is no reason for it, its needing any repair.
10. Everybody, everybody’s being on time is absolutely necessary.
Exercise 84
Each of the following sentences is incorrect because the sign of the possessive case has been omitted. Insert the apostrophe or the apostrophe and s, wherever either is needed.
1. There is a new boys school in our town.
2. James brother John is our new bookkeeper.
3. For entrance to this course three years work in mathematics and one years work in German are required.
4. This new building will be occupied by J. M. Hopkins mail order department.
5. The superintendents inspection was thorough.
6. The trouble will be in John agreeing to the proposition.
7. All applications for help should be made to the Womens Committees.
8. The employees rest rooms are on the sunny side of the building.
9. Our fifteen years experience in selling bonds has convinced us that investments paying a low rate of interest are the safest.
10. In to-days mail I received a very large order from Graham & Moore’s successors.
11. Jones Brothers new store is on the corner of Madison Street.
12. Last month sales show an increase of two thousand dollars.
13. Everybodys business is nobodys business.
14. It is when to-morrows burden is added to the burden of to-day that the weight is more than a man can bear.
15. The present governor was the peoples choice.
16. I prefer Tennysons poems to Longfellows.
17. I have read both Longfellow and Tennysons poems.
18. I bought the book at Barlow and Companys new store.
19. We are going to insist on Mary taking a long vacation this year.
20. I have had the pleasure of staying at both your friends houses.
Exercise 85—The Apostrophe
Some of the following sentences are right, and some are wrong. Correct those that are wrong, explaining why they are wrong.
1. The man who’s coming this way is Mr. Burton.
2. Whose coat is that?
3. The man who’s place you are taking has been with this firm for twenty years.
4. The next one whose to give a report is the treasurer.
5. The next one whose report we must hear is the treasurer.
6. Don’t you think it’s too early to start?
7. He is a ladies tailor.
8. Remember your to let us know at once who’s elected.
9. Its too late now to change its wording.
10. Mr. Jones’ house is being repaired.
11. The Joneses’ house is being repaired.
12. There coming as fast as their horse will bring them.
13. I think you’re typewriter needs cleaning.
14. Your coming too, are’nt you?
15. Every business has it’s problems.
16. The Bon Ton has a big sale in mens’ and womens’ coat’s.
17. Why, it’s March! No wonder their having a sale.
18. We shall give you a special discount if you will send your dealer’s name.
19. Most of the dealer’s advertise very little.
20. It’s just a year ago since we received your last order.
21. Its not willingness we lack; it’s time.
22. If you use our safety device, you may leave you’re window open with security, and you will arise refreshed, ready for a big days work.
23. Lets take our vacation when they take their’s.
24. I think we shall have to take our’s in August. Two of us must stay during July, for the work will not do it’s self, you know.
25. In any explanation it should be the writers purpose to so describe his good’s that the reader will desire them. A good salesman never shows a necktie in a box. He takes it out and with a deft twist forms it’s length into a four-in-hand over his finger. The customer then sees not only the scarf, it’s color and its weave, but he sees it in it’s relation to himself, as it will look when it’s tied.
Exercise 86
Supply who or whom:
1. —— did you take me for?
2. The shipping clerk, —— I consider responsible for the mistake, must go.
3. The shipping clerk, —— I feel certain is responsible for the mistake, must go.
4. —— is it?
5. —— shall I say called?
6. —— do you wish to see?
7. —— did you say was elected?
8. He is the one —— every one thought should be elected.
9. Choose the one —— you think will give the best service.
10. Choose the one —— you think you can trust.
11. She asked me —— did it.
12. —— do you think is the best salesman in the firm?
13. —— do you regard as the best salesman in the firm?
14. —— was that —— you were talking to?
15. He is the one —— I was speaking about.
16. —— do we play next week?
17. He is a workman —— can be trusted.
18. He is a workman upon —— you can depend.
19. This letter comes from Robert, —— we all know very well.
20. This letter comes from Robert, —— we all know writes good letters.
21. —— do you consider to be most capable? [The subject of the infinitive to be must be in the objective case.]
22. This booklet was written by the man —— Mr. Bardon considers [to be] the best correspondent in our office.
23. He is the one —— every one believes to be worthy of the highest honors.
24. The critic —— every one thought gave the most truthful account of the performance is a man of great culture.
Supply whoever or whomever:
1. Give the book to —— needs it.
2. Give it to —— you think best.
3. —— I send can be trusted.
4. Send me —— is there.
5. Send me —— you find there.
6. —— reaches the line first will receive the cup.
7. The cup will be given to —— reaches the lines first.
8. In the country lane he spoke to —— he met.
9. —— you choose may compete for the prize.
10. —— you bring is welcome.
Exercise 87
Read the following sentences, using one of the forms in italic. Be able to give a reason for your choice.
1. He—him and I—me are going camping next summer.
2. It is a question that refers to you and I—me.
3. It is a question between you and I—me.
4. I am sure that it was she—her.
5. I am sure that we saw you and he—him.
6. We—us boys are going camping.
7. Will you go camping with we—us boys?
8. They—them and their cousins are going camping.
9. We bought a large piece of ground so that my brother and I—me could have a garden.
10. It was bought for he—him and I—me.
11. Is that he—him entering the gate? Yes, that is he—him.
12. Who—whom should I meet at the station but old Mr. McGregor, who—whom I had not seen for several years.
13. If I were he—him, I should start at once.
14. There is no need of him—his staying any longer.
15. He does not work so rapidly as I—me.
16. Mary and she—her work in the same office.
17. There is no danger of me—my failing.
18. Please let she—her and I—me do the work together.
19. There is no use of us—our trying any more.
20. Us—our giving up now will spoil everything.
21. My mother objected to me—my going.
22. Why did you insist upon us—our coming to-day?
23. I hardly think it is he—him who—whom is to blame.
24. I should like to be she—her.
25. They—them that do wrong shall be punished.
26. They—them that do wrong I shall punish.
27. He—him that is your friend you can call upon in your hour of need.
28. He—him that is your friend will respond to your call.
29. The manager praised both the bookkeepers and we—us girls.
30. Was it you who called? Yes, it was I—me.
31. It surely was not I—me whom you saw.
32. He reproved us both but I—me more than she—her.
33. Are you sure it’s I—me whom he appointed?
34. If it’s really I—me who was appointed, I’m sure I should have been notified.
35. I’m sure it can’t be I—me.