Inanimate Possessives: two days’ time or two days time?
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
