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[Grammar] mine

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Will17

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2008
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
French
Home Country
France
Current Location
UK
-He is a friend of mine. He is a friend of a friend/ friend's? Which one is correct?

"He's a friend of a friend." You wouldn't use "friend's" because you have already said "of a", which shows possession. If you wish to use the apostrophe + s, then you would say "He's a friend's friend".


I find it hard to explain my point. We say "he is a friend of mine", "He is a friend of his (=John) so we can say "he is a friend of John's" Therefore, why can't we say "he is a friend of a friend's"?

Thanks a lot
W
 

BobK

Harmless drudge
Staff member
Joined
Jul 29, 2006
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
-He is a friend of mine. He is a friend of a friend/ friend's? Which one is correct?

"He's a friend of a friend." You wouldn't use "friend's" because you have already said "of a", which shows possession. If you wish to use the apostrophe + s, then you would say "He's a friend's friend".


I find it hard to explain my point. We say "he is a friend of mine", "He is a friend of his (=John) so we can say "he is a friend of John's" Therefore, why can't we say "he is a friend of a friend's"?

Thanks a lot
W

You're quite right ;-) It's illogical, but that's the way it is; when the thing possessed is specific you use what is in effect a double possessive. When the thing possessed is preceded by an indefinite article, you use just 'of'. :up:

b
 
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