Genitive s or of-phrase

s-Genitive and/or of?

There is no strict rule when we use 's and when the of-phrase.

1. s-Genitive – mostly for people and animals

• Ronny's bike
• the cat's basket

2. of-phrase – mostly for things

• the name of the school
• the top floor of the building

If things have a connection to people we also use the s-genitive (possessive).

• Germany's economy = the ecomony of Germany

In time expressions we also use the s-genitive (possessive).

• a three weeks' holiday

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