I was just wondering. If your wife has two brothers who share a house, or a brother who lives with his civil partner, how do you apostrophise their house? Is it “My brothers-in-law’s house”? I reckon that is right, but it does sound pretty clumsy.
One for Lynne Truss
February 22nd, 2010 · Posted by Skuds in Life · 4 Comments · Life
Tags: Language
4 Comments so far ↓
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Yeah, I’d go with that (for the former example, anyway). As you say, it’s a bit inelegant – might rephrase and say ‘the house of my brothers-in-law’ instead.
Matt and Andy’s house. I’d always rather give people the names that make them individuals rather than the ones that place them in relation to me.
A suitably lateral solution.
Or is it just avoiding answering the real question? I thought I was supposed to be the politician
If I need ed to explain my relationship to the couple in question then I would but I think its only at that point it means to come up. Without wishing to get feminist on yo’ ass maybe I think like that because I’m not willing to be thought of only as Rob’s wife or my father’s daughter. Obviously Skuds’ Sister is ok! (I’m a girl, I don’t have to be logical….)