some Mary's friends

[Eva Spain]

Good mornig:

Can I write "some Mary's friends"?
My teacher said no. She said It means "Friends of Some Mary" because before proper name can't use SOME and I understand "some Friends of Mary". My teacher says It must write "Some of Mary's friends".

I have read a post with similar question but with A/AN and I dont't know if with SOME it's the same (https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/...nite-article-before-a-possessive-noun.234589/),
so I think that "some Mary's friends" is right.

Thanks very much

 

[jutfrank]

Listen to your teacher, Eva.

 

[teechar]

Good morning:

Can I write "some Mary's friends"?
My teacher said no. She said it means "friends of some Mary" because before a proper name, we can't use "some", but I think it means SOME and I understand "some friends of Mary". My teacher says It must write it should be "some of Mary's friends".

I have read a post with a similar question but with A/AN an/an, and but I dont't don't know if with SOME it's the same with "some", (https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/...nite-article-before-a-possessive-noun.234589/),
so I think that "some Mary's friends" is right.

Thanks very much.

Your teacher is correct.

 

[Eva Spain]

If Possessive nouns function as adjectives, why can't we use "some" before Mary's?. I don't understand

 

[White Hat]

I think if you say 'some Mary's friends' it will mean 'friends of some Mary', i.e. those of someone whose name is Mary. Like Jutfrank and Teechar, I'd definitely go with 'some of Mary's friends' here. Besides, you wouldn't say 'some my friends', would you? It is 'some of my friends', isn't it?

 

[Eva Spain]

Yes, you're right.
Thanks you very much.
Kind Regards

This site is very fantastic!!

 

[emsr2d2]

Yes, you're right.
Thanks Thank you very much.
Kind regards.

This site is very fantastic!!

Note my changes above. On its own, "Thanks" is correct but if you add "you" it has to be "Thank you".
"Kind regards" can be used at the end of a letter (similar to "Saludos/Un saludo" in Spanish) but it's not necessary on this forum.
We don't use the intensifier "very" with "fantastic" because it already means "very good".
Also, bear in mind that there is no need to write a new post to thank anyone. Simply add the "Thanks" icon to any post you find helpful (hover your cursor over "Like" and the "Thanks" icon will pop up).

 

[emsr2d2]

If possessive nouns function as adjectives, why can't we use "some" before "Mary's"? no full stop here I don't understand.

 

[jutfrank]

I think there may be some confusion between different uses of 'some' going on here.

a) I have some good friends.

In the noun phrase above, some is an indefinite determiner, good is an adjective and friends is a head noun. The word some is used in place of saying a specific number.

b) I like some of Mary's friends.

In this sentence, some of quantifies Mary's friends. The sentence means that I like a limited number, but not all, of Mary's friends. When you use a possessive word like 'Mary's' or 'my' or 'your', you have to use 'some of', not just 'some'. It's the same with other similar quantity words:

I like most of Mary's friends.
I like all of your friends.
He invited half of his friends.
I went with two of my friends.

 

[teechar]

Right. You might find the explanation in the following link useful.

Some or Some of? / Most or Most of? (Quantifiers - Grammar)

Explanation of quantifiers 'all/many/most/some/few' with subjects in English. Includes a practice quiz for ESL students.

www.englishcurrent.com