Chapter 8

Which of the two possibilities (prenominal and postnominal genitive respectively) is better, or are they equally good?

His hair looks like ...
1. a lion’s mane.
2. the mane of a lion.
3. (a) and (b) are equally good.
She really has ...
1. a saint’s patience.
2. the patience of a saint.
3. (a) and (b) are equally good.
I really despair of ...
1. Britain’s economy.
2. the economy of Britain.
3. (a) and (b) are equally good.
The country was looking forward to ...
1. the US President’s first visit.
2. the first visit of the US President.
3. (a) and (b) are equally good.
You should take that with ...
1. a salt’s grain.
2. a grain of salt.
3. (a) and (b) are equally good.
This is beyond me. I am at ...
1. my wits’ end.
2. the end of my wits.
3. (a) and (b) are equally good.
As your father, I regard myself as ...
1. the family’s head.
2. the head of the family.
3. (a) and (b) are equally good.
It was a turning point in ...
1. the country’s history.
2. the history of the country.
3. (a) and (b) are equally good.
I’d really like to read a copy of ...
1. that woman you know’s thesis.
2. the thesis of that woman you know.
3. (a) and (b) are equally good.