repeated genitive form

[kohyoongliat]

The second meeting of the committee's is incorrect as it has a repeated genitive form.

I believe "He is a friend of my father's " is correct. May I know whether it is also a case of repeated genitive form?

Thanks.

[Naamplao]

Originally Posted by kohyoongliat

The second meeting of the committee's is incorrect as it has a repeated genitive form.

I believe "He is a friend of my father's " is correct. May I know whether it is also a case of repeated genitive form?

Thanks.

He is a friend of my father's is certainly said in speaking English. But I think that He is one of my father's friends is better and clearer written English

[kohyoongliat]

Thanks, Naamplao, for your response. I know both the following sentences are correct. What I want to know is whether both sentences involve repeated genitive form.

1. The second meeting of the committee's is incorrect as it has a repeated genitive form.

2. He is a friend of my father's. (Is this sentence also a case of repeated genitive form.)

Thanks.

[Soup]

Originally Posted by kohyoongliat

2. He is a friend of my father's. (Is this sentence also a case of repeated genitive form.)

See here DOUBLE GENITIVE. The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993

[kohyoongliat]

Thanks, Soup.

[Soup]

The meaning of the double genitive is usually not much different from an ordinary genitive or a noun phrase with a possessive determiner (that car of his = his car). Sometimes the double genitive means 'one out of several' or 'some out of many' (a friend of mine / of Mary's = one of my/Mary's friends, some friends of mine / of Mary's = some of my/Mary's friends or just my/Mary's friends).

double genitive

See also World Wide Words: Double possessive

[kohyoongliat]

Thank you very much for the link.

Best wishes.

[Soup]

You're welcome.