Possessive structures in English - use of "of" and 's

Possessive structures in English - use of "of" and 's

---

            "Should I use "of" or an "s" structure?"
    Sadly there's no absolute rule to tell you whether you need to use, or can use, a "possessive" form with "of", on one with "'s". The simple rule that you can "only use 's with people" is a very broad generalisation, with lots of excep­tions. Besides, there are a lot of cases where, even with people, you cannot use 's. So here are the main forms of "possession", and some exam­ples to re­member:

The first thing to determine is: is the "possessor" animate or inanimate?

1) Animates: HUMAN POSSESSORS,  OR ASSIMILATED:
In cases of true possession: 's is normal.

A1) The accountant's car wouldn't start.
A2) The dog's leg was broken

With qualities, attributes or actions: 's is common.

A3) Madonna's reputation is international.
A4)  The dog's name was Jackson.
A5) The Queen's arrival was delayed.

These can also be easily expressed using of.

A31) The reputation of Madonna is international.
A41) The name of the dog .....

There is a difference in emphasis between the two alternatives: examples A3-A5 emphasize the possessor, A31 and A41 emphasize the quality or attribute. In A5, the "possessor" is the subject of the verbal noun following it. 

Cases where there is no choice:

Sometimes however, even though both forms are theoretically possible, the structure of a sentence will determine the choice of expression, as a word may have to stand next to other words qualifying it: for example

A32) The reputation of Madonna, the American singer, is international

We can NOT say:

A32X) ** Madonna's reputation, the American singer, is international. **

Examples A1 and A2 will  be rephrased using "of" if this is structurally essential:

A 11) This is the car of the accountant I had lunch with yesterday.

Clearly, the other theoretical option gives the wrong meaning!

A 11x) ** This is the accountant's car I had lunch with yesterday. **

1.1. Relating a part to a whole (animates)

Use of "of" is  obligatory when expressing the relation of a part to a plural whole

A6  the rest of the people,
A7 the majority of voters

We can NOT say:

A61x:  the people's rest,  
A71x:  the voters' majority

Of and 's are both possible (depending on sentence structure) when expressing the relation of a part to a unitary (single) whole.

A8  The man's arm was broken, or
A81 The arm of the man was broken

2. Inanimate possessors 

For qualities, attributes, actions, or parts: Of is the usual structure, but 's may be possible; The unusual "'s" form can be used with some familiar nouns for stress, or for reasons of sentence structure.

B1 The cost of the operation was enormous.
B2 The condition of the merchandise we received was not very satisfactory
B3 The launch of the new book was very successful.
B31 The new book's launch was very successful.
B4 Where's the lid of the saucepan?
B5 The front end of the car was smashed up.
B6 The departure of the train was delayed for an hour.
B61 The train's departure was delayed for an hour.

In examples B3 and B6, the sentence could be rephrased using subject and verb instead of the possessive structures.
B32 The new book was launched very successfully (subj. + passive verb)
B62  the train departed an hour later than planned (subj. + active verb)

2.1. Relating a part to a whole (inanimates)

The "of" form is normally obligatory when expressing the relation of a part to a whole (or a whole to its parts)

B7 the top of the stairs .
B8 the back of the building
B9 A collection of paintings
B10  The middle of the report

We can NOT say:

B71x:     the stairs' top .
B81x:     the building's back.

However there  sometimes is a choice when the part is expressed as adjective+noun

B11 The top floor of the building
B111 The building's top floor

3. Complemental noun groups

"of" is essential, except in a few specific cases.

C1) The theory of relativity.
C2) The director of marketing.

Complemental noun groups  can often be rephrased as compounds, without 's:

C11) the relativity theory
C21) the marketing director

---