that of my friend/my friend's

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1
  1. My car is better than that of my friend.
  2. My car is better than my friend’s.
    Are these two sentences OK?
2
  1. My car is better than that of my friend. incorrect
  2. My car is better than my friend’s. correct

Also: “My car is better than his.” (or other possesive pronouns)

Regards,

Ozzy

3

I found “My car is better than that of my friend.” in a grammar book.
Is it not correct?
Does any one learned confirm it?
Thanks.

4

Both sentences sound okay to me.

5

I’d say

“My car’s better than that one of my friend.” or
My car’s better than my friend’s car.

Correct?

Thanks

6

Your first sentence sounds distinctly odd. The second is okay.

7

(1) “My car is better than that (= THE car) of my friend.” Some people tell me that the sentence is correct, but they point out that native speakers would probably feel that it does NOT sound “natural.”

(2) Some people feel that “of my friend’s” is not appropriate for that sentence. They say that “of my friend’s” needs an indefinite noun. That is: A car (one of your friend’s cars). But your sentence refers to a definite noun: THE car (your friend’s only car). That’s why some experts like “Sue is A student of Professor Franklin’s” but NOT: “She is THE student of Professor Franklin’s.”

(3) Probably most native speakers would just say " My car is better than my friend’s [car]."

(4) This “of + 's” sentence is called the double possessive/ double genitive/ oblique genitive.

Let’s see what others say.

8

“My car is better than that of my friend” is definitely grammatically correct, but its formal structure seems rather at odds with the prosaic subject matter. I can’t really imagine anyone ever using such a sentence – certainly not in conversation.

“My car is better than that of my friend’s” sounds pretty horrible to me.