Basic Details
Word: Genitive
Part of Speech: Adjective / Noun
Meaning: Relating to or indicating possession or ownership.
Synonyms: Possessive, ownership
Antonyms: N/A
Idioms and Phrases
- By someone else's hand: To refer to something not owned by oneself or created by another. Example: "The painting hung in the gallery, but it was by someone else's hand, not his own."
- To each his own: Everyone has their own preferences regarding ownership or possession. Example: "Some prefer cats while others like dogs; to each his own."
Usage Examples
Example 1: In English, the possessive form of nouns is often marked by adding an apostrophe and an s, showing the genitive case.
Example 2: The genitive case in Latin can indicate many relationships, primarily possession.
Example 3: Using the genitive can help clarify who something belongs to, making writing more precise.
Fun Fact
The term 'genitive' stems from the Latin word 'genitus', which means 'to beget' or 'to produce', reflecting its connection to ownership and relationships in grammar.
Famous Quote
"Words are the most powerful drug used by mankind." - Rudyard Kipling. This quote reflects on language and its capacity to denote relationships, like the genitive case does.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "genitive" mean?
a) A type of verb
b) Relating to possession
c) A kind of adverb
d) Describing a process
Answer: b) Relating to possession
2. Which of these is a synonym of "genitive"?
a) Attribute
b) Possessive
c) Descriptive
d) Conjunction
Answer: b) Possessive
3. Which term is NOT an antonym of "genitive"?
a) N/A
b) Descriptive
c) Intransitive
d) Adjective
Answer: a) N/A
4. Which sentence uses "genitive" correctly?
a) The book's title was intriguing, as it demonstrated the genitive form.
b) They walked through the genitive park.
c) The genitive played music loudly.
d) The cake was delightful and genitive.
Answer: a) The book's title was intriguing, as it demonstrated the genitive form.
5. What does the idiom "to each his own" imply?
a) Everyone has their own preferences
b) Belonging to someone else
c) Everything must be shared
d) Common ownership among friends
Answer: a) Everyone has their own preferences
