Pronouns and possessives -’s (Kate’s camera / my brother’s car etc.)

Question 1

• We normally use -’s for PEOPLE:
• You can use -’s WITHOUT a noun after it:
• In plural we write ’ after friends/students/parents etc. (plural):

Answer 1

…I stayed at my sister’s house. (not the house of my sister)
…Have you met Mr Black’s wife? (not the wife of Mr Black)
…Are you going to James’s party?
…Paul is a man’s name. Paula is a woman’s name.
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…Sophie’s hair is longer than Kate’s. (= Kate’s hair)
…‘Whose umbrella is this?’ ‘It’s my mother’s.’ (= my mother’s umbrella)
…‘Where were you last night?’ ‘I was at Paul’s.’ (= Paul’s house)
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my friends’ house = two or more friends (= their house)
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my friend’s house = one friend (= his house or her house)

Question 2

We use of … for things, places etc. :

Answer 2

…Look at the roof OF that building. (not that building’s roof)
…We didn’t see the beginning OF the film. (not the film’s beginning)
…What’s the name OF this village?
…Do you know the cause OF the problem?
…You can sit in the back OF the car.
…Madrid is the capital OF Spain