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Possessive s with companies?



 
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Any: Are you any (OR at all) worried about that? | The adjective 'fishy'
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Possessive s with companies? #1 (permalink) Wed Sep 13, 2006 15:32 pm   Possessive s with companies?
 

Hi, how does the use of the possessive s in connection with companies sound to you? For example:

"Sophisticated and successful web entrepreneurs don't use Microsoft's products."

I mean, the alternatives would be

products by Microsoft or Microsoft products

So, is it a question of style and formality?

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Using the possessive (Microsoft's products) #2 (permalink) Wed Sep 13, 2006 16:14 pm   Using the possessive (Microsoft's products)
 

Hi Torsten

This is just my gut feeling:

Using the possessive (Microsoft's products) seems to focus things a little bit on Microsoft (the company). Therefore there's an indirect criticism of Microsoft itself.

Using Microsoft as an adjective seems to focus things more on the products (particular brand). The criticism is more focused on the products.

As I said, though, that's just a gut reaction.

Others may disagree. ;)

Amy
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Possessive s with companies? #3 (permalink) Thu Sep 14, 2006 14:18 pm   Possessive s with companies?
 

Hi Torsten, Amy.

I would agree with Amy: Use the company name as an adjective, unless you want to comment specifically on the company.
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