Unit 3.2
Inanimate Possessive Case in Time Phrases
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Introduction
The possessive case is used to talk about things that belong to a person, an animal or a thing.
We can use it with time phrases to express that something is connected to a certain period of time.
Form
We find possessive cases in time phrases. We form them by adding an apostrophe and an s (‘s) to singular time expressions or an apostrophe (‘) to plural time expressions.
The structure of time phrases is:
…time expression + ‘s (possessive case)…
Example
- I showed her the article you wrote in today’s newspaper.
- Don’t worry, it only takes a day’s work.
- We left for a week’s trip to Buenos Aires.
- I’ll give you a month’s time to raise the money.
- We will see if it was a good decision in two years’ time.
- It’s an hour’s work at most.
Use
We use inanimate possessive case after time expressions to show the belonging of an action to a specific period of time.
Summary
When the possessive case is combined with time expressions, we form time phrases to refer to something that belongs to a certain period of time.
They are formed by the time expression with an apostrophe and an s (‘s) to singular time expressions or an apostrophe (‘) to plural ones.
For example:
— “Six years’ experience.” = When the possessive case apostrophe (‘) is combined with the time phrase (six years), it indicates that experience belongs to a specific period of time.
Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. Take a look at the {Example} section that shows its use within a context.
Exercises
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