The use of the of-construction' to connect two nouns

We normally use the of-construction (not 's/s) when referring to:

Things (where a compound noun [> 2.10.1] is not available): the book of the film, the shade of a tree Parts of things:the bottom/top'side inside of the box Abstract reference:the cost of living, the price of success

2 Nouns

The of-construction can be used to suggest be/behave/look like in e.g. an angel of a child, that fool of a ticket-inspector We also use this construction when the noun in the of-phrase is modified by an additional phrase or clause:

Can t you look at the book of the boy behind you?

This was given to me by the colleague of a friend of mine

The of-construction can be used with plural nouns to avoid ambiguity. The advice of the specialists may be preferable to the specialists advice (more than one specialist), which could be confused with the specialists advice (only one specialist).

A noun + of can sometimes be used in place of an infinitive: It's forbidden to remove booksfrom this reference library The removal of booksfrom this reference library is forbidden

2.51 Omission of the noun after 's and s'

The 's/s' construction can be used on its own when we refer to:

- a noun that is implied: We need a ladder We can borrow our neighbour's

- where someone lives: I'm staying at my aunt'sI'm a guest at the Watsons'

- shops and businesses: e.g. the butcher's, the hairdresser's Would you mind going to the chemist'sfor me'

- medical practitioners: e.g. the dentists, the doctor's I've got an appointment at the dentist'sat 11.15

When we refer to well-known stores (e.g. Macy’s Harrod’s), an apostrophe before the s is optional, but is usually omitted'.

You can t go to London without visiting Harrods/Harrod'sWhen we refer to well-known restaurants by the name of the owner or founder (e.g. Langan's, Scott’s) s is included. Churches and colleges (often named after saints) are frequently referred to in the same way, always with ‘s:

They were married in St Bartholomew's