GENITIVE

Abstract

The use of the genitive is very complicated and there are no clear rules. If in doubt, use Google to check the specific phrase that you want to use.

Below are some examples explaining where the genitive should and should not be used.

• the custome r’s requirements is correct if it means one particular customer for whom your company is working at the moment. Here the definite article is used because we are referring to one specific customer.

• our customer s ’ requirements is correct because it refers to a specific set of customers who all belong to your company

• custome r requirements is correct if you are referring to all of your company’s customers seen as a whole. In fact, in this case no definite article is required because we are referring to all customers, not specific ones.

• custome rs requirements is wrong