A question about the possession.

[Linuks]

Hi!

I have several problems using the possession in English.
I have been told that it wasn't possible to say : "the forest's heart" but "the forest of the heart".

But I have recently viewed something like "the forest's cold heart".
I think it's not correct but I'm not totally sure because there is an adjective (cold) just before the noun (heart).
So, is it really possible to talk about "the forest's cold heart" or have I to say "the cold heart of the forest" ?

An other question is : why isn't there a "'s" in "an animal spirit".
Isn't it the spirit of an animal ?
I don't understand this point because "animal" isn't an adjective and I'm almost sure it's not possible to say "the forest cold heart"... but correct me if I'm wrong!

I know what I am asking here will seems very easy for some persons but I hope I'll find some answers ;)
thank you in advance

[Gillnetter]

Hi!

I have several problems using the possession in English.
I have been told that it wasn't possible to say : "the forest's heart" but "the forest of the heart".

The forest's heart is acceptable. The forest of the heart is not the same as the heart of the forest (the forest's heart). The forest of the heart means that there is a forest in the heart. The forest's heart means the center of the forest.

But I have recently viewed something like "the forest's cold heart".
I think it's not correct but I'm not totally sure because there is an adjective (cold) just before the noun (heart).
So, is it really possible to talk about "the forest's cold heart" or have I to say "the cold heart of the forest" ?
Either way is fine.
Adjectives have little to do with possession.
It is John's car - the car belongs to John
It is John's big car - John has at least two cars and one of them is big.
The green car is John's - John owns the green car.

An other question is : why isn't there a "'s" in "an animal spirit".
Isn't it the spirit of an animal ?
There are at least two ways to state this.
He has an animal spirit - His spirit is similar to that of an animal.
The animal's spirit is strong - The spirit of the animal is strong.
I don't understand this point because "animal" isn't an adjective and I'm almost sure it's not possible to say "the forest cold heart"... but correct me if I'm wrong!
The forest cold heart is incorrect - the forest's cold heart is correct.
I know what I am asking here will seems very easy for some persons but I hope I'll find some answers ;)
thank you in advance

Gil

[Linuks]

Gil

Thank you very much for your answer Gil ;)

[SoothingDave]

"Animal" is a noun and an adjective.