terminology - What is a "Norman genitive"?



I have encountered such a term, and I have no idea what it is. Could it be 'of'?



Answer



Norman genitive, or French genitive, is another term for analytic genitive. The following phrases use the Norman genitive.



  • the future of mankind

  • the roof of your house

  • the leaves of those trees


The following phrases use the Saxon genitive, or synthetic genitive.



  • Michael's sister

  • Joanna's boyfriend

  • the cat's leg


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