the use of possessive pronoun

[Millie]

Following is two example sentences to exemplify my confusion in the use of possessive pronoun. (A comparison of charges between two shipping agents)

a. Globlelink's rates are a bit higher than FTD'S.
We must use " 's " behind FTD, right? Otherwise, it won't be grammatically correct?
b. The rates of Globlelink are a bit higher than those of FTD.
Can we write it like: The rates of Globlelink are a bit higher than FTD or The rates of Globlelink are a bit higher than FTD's. And these two new sentences would still be grammatically correct?

Thank you very much for your help!

[Alan]

Hi Millie,

I agree (a) and (b). A true comparison would have to be between similar things - 'rates of Globelink' would have to be compared with other 'rates' (FTD's)

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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[Millie]

Dear Alan,

Can we say:
The rates of Globlelink are a bit higher than FTD's.
Or the two structures at the beginning and end of the sentence must keep strictly the same, that is, it must be: The rates of Globlelink are a bit higher than those of FTD.

Thank you very much for your help!

[Tortoise]

[Millie]

Hi Tortoise,

I understand what Alan said. In fact the second time of my post is about the two structures in the same sentence. Must they be strictly identical? For example:
We absolutely can say "A's rate is higher than B's", but can we say "A's rate is higher than that of B's"? That is my question here.

Thank you for your reply.

[Tortoise]

Hi, Millie!

This time your post is clearer to me. Well, to my knowledge and from what Alan said, I think "A's rate is higher than that of B's" is not correct, because it means A's rate is higher than the rate of B's rate. "That" stands for rate, and "B's" stands for B's rate or the rate of B.

[Cerberus™]

Tortoise: that may happen in longer, more complex sentences; but in simple sentences I'd say it is all right to use both constructions, so long as there is no ambiguity. However, It is usually better to use the same construction twice if possible.

[Millie]

Hi Tortoise and Cerberus!

Just to confirm my understanding of your reply.
A's rate is higher than B's.
The rate of A is higher than that of B.
The above two sentences are perfectly right.

A's rate is higher than that of B.
Strictly speaking, this sentence ,although causes no ambiguity, should be avoided.

Thank you two!