double possesives

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scully931

So you're suggesting what? Bigfoot?
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Hi,

I don't know if the title is the right term... I just made it up because it fit. :) Anyway...

1. The water beaded on Jennifer and Jackie's hair.

2. The water beaded on Jennifer's and Jackie's hair.

3. None of the above.

Thanks so much!
 

veronie

practical experience, FTW
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Number Two :)

This can be a tricky one in the example you give. The rule is, you use 's after the last name if ownership is shared: The water beaded on Lauren and Isaac's tent (they are in the same tent). But, you use 's after all the names if the objects are individually owned: The water beaded on Lauren's and Isaac's tents (they are in separate tents).

In your example, Jennifer and Jackie don't share the same hair (I am assuming they are not conjoined twins attached at the forehead). So, it would be: The water beaded on Jennifer's and Jackie's hair.
 

Maryn

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_39259696_twins_young203.jpg


The answer would be #1 if this is a picture of Jackie and Jennifer. However, #2 is more likely to be correct.

If you're not married to naming the girls in this sentence, though, you could avoid the awkwardness altogether by saying something like the girls' hair.

Maryn, adept as sidestepping issues
 

ideagirl

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_39259696_twins_young203.jpg


The answer would be #1 if this is a picture of Jackie and Jennifer. However, #2 is more likely to be correct.

If you're not married to naming the girls in this sentence, though, you could avoid the awkwardness altogether by saying something like the girls' hair.

HAhahaha!
I agree that rephrasing as "the girls' hair" or "their hair" would sound better.
 

scully931

So you're suggesting what? Bigfoot?
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Oh my gosh. I saw that picture and thought it was you.

I'd have trouble saying 'the girls' or 'the women' because there is a significant age difference. I'll see about 'their.' Thanks, everyone!
 
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