A WISE CLIENT QUESTION:
“There was always one grammatical mix up for me, and I would like your advice on it. Do we say: I will finish in a week’s time or in a weeks time? In two days’ time or in two days time?”
This question addresses Inanimate Possessives. Before we look at Inanimate Possessives specifically, here is the main use for using an apostrophe to show possession in the English language:
1. Showing “contractions” – i.e. where letters have been omitted from words to make them shorter (was not to wasn’t).
2. Indicating “possession” – i.e. that something belongs to someone or something.
The Gregg Reference Manual (which I highly recommend) explains:
As a rule, nouns referring to inanimate things should not be in the possessive. Use an “of” phrase instead.
- the bottom of the barrel (NOT: the barrel’s bottom)
- the wording of the agreement (NOT: the agreement’s wording
- the lower level of the terminal (NOT: the terminal’s lower level)However, in reference to time and measurement, and in phrases implying personification, possessive form has come to be accepted usage:
- a day’s notice
- an hour’s work
- two years’ progress (plural possessive)
- two weeks’ salary (plural possessive)
An easy way to remember this is to realize that possession does not belong only to people and places, but also to time. Here are logical examples:
- The end of the journey = the journey’s end
- In the time of 1 hour = in an hour’s time
- In the time of 5 hours = in 5 hours’ time (both possessive and plural)
- In the time of a month = in a month’s time (it is only one month)
ANSWER:
In two days’ time, the answer posted will be grammatically correct. (not two days time)
Think this over for a week’s time, and it will make much sense. (not a weeks time)
Learn More in This Course: Business Grammar: Error-Free Writing
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What about “124 degrees flexion”? Does that require an apostrophe?
No, “124 degrees flexion” does not need an apostrophe because “flexion” is modifying. It does not belong to “degrees.”
What about “two to three days history of fever” ?
Aryan,
Technically, it should be three days’ history of fever, since it’s plural possessive. But, wow that is awkward. When confronted with such an awkward construction, reshape the sentence: “The patient had a fever for two to three days.” Better yet: “The patient’s fever was 102 degrees on Monday, 101 degrees on Tuesday, and 102 degrees Wednesday.” This would provide useful information.
Inanimate possessives are very peculiar. Most style guides are clear that inanimate objects should not be possessive, with some exceptions (time and measurement). Some grammarians disagree: Motivated Grammar provides excellent full explanation here on this disagreement: http://motivatedgrammar.wordpress.com/2009/02/23/preposterous-apostrophes-viii-inanities-in-inanimate-possession/
I recommend that business writers do not use inanimate possessives. I agree with Motivated Grammar that it’s evolving, and the “rule” is adopted rather than prescriptive. However, it’s best to be extremely clear in business writing, so avoiding grammar controversy makes sense. I’d use an inanimate possessive in fiction and narrative if it rang better, but not in a business document.
Hi, Mary.
In Australia, our main style manual gives different advice.
It says:
“It was previously conventional to use an apostrophe in expressions of time involving a plural reference, such as:
six weeks’ time
three months’ wages
“The apostrophe is now often left out. Again, the sense of the phrase tends to more descriptive than possessive.
“When the time reference is in the singular, however, the apostrophe should be retained to help mark the noun as singular:
a day’s journey
the year’s cycle.”
I think the traditional way that you recommend is better because it’s more consistent.
Michael Gladkoff