Possessive with Inanimate Objects

[rohit.manglik]

Hi Ron/Instructors,

I went through some Grammar forums where they said Possessive cannot be used Inanimate Objects. Is it correct on GMAT as well? I got this doubt because as I interpreted, it's a grey area.

Reference:
http://forum.wordreference.com/threads/ ... ns.165875/
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/possessives.htm

[RonPurewal]

do you have the 2016 OG?

if so, look at SC problem #8...
... or #12...
... or #49...
... or #54...
... or #66...
... or #67...
... or #74...
... or #86...
... or #100...
... or #112.

[RonPurewal]

hopefully my point here is obvious.

to put it explicitly:
whenever you see a 'rule' that is suspiciously simplistic, DO YOUR HOMEWORK.
you will be able to settle 99 per cent of these issues by just flipping through the book and looking at the correct answer choices.

in the case of the GMAT exam, this 'homework' is even easier than usual, since there is no need to look beyond GMAC materials. (if something is NOT settled in the GMAC materials, then it is probably irrelevant to this exam.)

[rohit.manglik]

Thanks Ron for patiently typing all the SC problem numbers and for such a nice explanation.

For those who don't have OG 2016, here is what OG has to say:

Correct: Bank's loans
Correct: company's debt
Correct: India's rice production
Correct: Earth's crust
Correct: World's people
Correct: China's first Emperor
Wrong: Festival's month (Probably)


Thanks

[RonPurewal]

you're welcome.

[RonPurewal]

...but the point is for you (and other readers) to actually go look up the problems in the book.

if you see these things used in context, you will learn the whole idea more thoroughly than otherwise.

(also, if you are currently preparing for this exam and you don't have OG2016... well, go get it.)