So let’s get right into what IS our focus, which is using the possessive case when there’s more than one person involved. That doesn’t come so easily for many people, so here we go. Ana and Tim are married and they own a car. That blue car belongs to both of them. They share the car. And here’s how we say that: It’s Ana and Tim’s car. It’s Ana and Tim’s car. Ana and Tim’s car is blue.
Johnny and Tina are brother and sister. Johnny and Tina have the same mother and the same father, of course. They have the same parents. So this is how we say that: Johnny and Tina’s parents. If you look at the picture, you will see Johnny and Tina’s mother. You will also see Johnny and Tina’s father. Those are Tina and Johnny’s parents.
Moving on – here’s a different situation. Now we are talking about Donald, who owns a red car, and Lesley, who owns a black car. Donald and Lesley are friends and, coincidentally, they’re both having car problems. Both cars are now in the car shop for some maintenance. Donald’s car is in the car shop; and Lesley’s car is in the car shop as well. So this is how we say it: Donald’s and Lesley’s cars are in the shop. Donald’s car; Lesley’s car; Donald’s and Lesley’s cars. Yeah, they’re in the shop for maintenance. Donald’s and Lesley’s cars are in shop for some maintenance.
Still on Donald and Lesley: both of them have dogs. Donald’s dog is small and white; Lesley’s dog is small and brown. Both dogs are small. Donald’s and Lesley’s dogs are small. Both of them: the one that belongs to Donald, and the one that belongs to Lesley. Two different dogs! Donald’s and Lesley’s dogs are small.
Now hear this: little Timmy and Annie are classmates. So they know each other from school. They’re the same age. Timmy’s parents are from Canada; and Annie’s parents are from Canada as well. Both sets of parents are Canadian. So hear this: Timmy’s and Annie’s parents are from Canada. Timmy’s and Annie’s parents are Canadian. Timmy’s mother is from Canada; Timmy’s father is from Canada; Timmy’s parents are from Canada. Now, Annie: Annie’s mother is also from Canada; Annie’s father is from Canada; so Annie’s parents are from Canada. Timmy’s and Annie’s parents are from Canada, all four of them.
So if I say this: Jane and Karen’s parents are from England. Are Jane and Karen sisters?
Yes. They are.
If I say – Robert’s and Mike’s parents are from Australia… Are Robert and Mike brothers?
No, they aren’t.
I have two cousins.(Ruth and Marie) Both of them like songs of Brazil.
Ruth and Marie’s songs are from Brazil.
My computer is black.
Valter’s computer is back.
Hi Ana !
I loved this post . I Understood everything!
Follow my examples:
– My sister and I have the same bedroom . It’s Camila and Beatriz’s bedroom .
– John have a blue chair in Their house . It’s John’s blue chair .
Thanks!
Excellent, Beatriz :)
Oh! yes… thank you!
Hi,Ana! I’d learned all the rules about it last month at the university and I got surprise because there are so many rules for genetive case that i’d never heard before! And what I’m learning about english language is:there are always some details more for this or that.Is hard but it’s worth it.
Sometimes I think is impossible to learn everything about it,but then you inspire me,and I keep moving on…
Kisses!!
Hi, well! I’m thinking about that and, sure, it’s so usual! For exemple, me and my sister shere the same house, so: Jeane and Jeniffer’s house! The house belongs to both of them!
Am I correct?!
Thanks Ana, see you later!
Great, Jeane :-) Perfect.
My husband and I live in the same house. So, Rose and Carlos’s house is big.
But I have a black car and my husband has a white car. So, Rose’s and Carlos’s cars are small.
Ana, my sentences are correct ?
Excellent, Rosemeire :-)
Listen to the episode several times and it’ll help you internalize this stuff (in case you need that)