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Peter's and Paul's cats.

 
 
Reply Tue 27 Dec, 2016 01:14 am
If Peter has a cat and Paul has one too.

Is it correct to say: "These are Peter's and Paul's cats". (Does the sentence give the impression that there are more than 2 cats. If it does, how should I reword it?)

Thanks.
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Type: Question • Score: 1 • Views: 212 • Replies: 4
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contrex
 
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Reply Tue 27 Dec, 2016 02:40 am
Peter's and Paul's cats - at least one cat belongs to Peter, and at least one cat belongs to Paul. The cats are separately owned by Peter and Paul.

Peter and Paul's cats - some cats which are are shared (jointly owned) by Peter and Paul.

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tanguatlay
 
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Reply Tue 27 Dec, 2016 02:51 am
Thanks, contrex.

So it seems there's no way to phrase it in such a way that it is clear that Peter and Paul each owns a cat.
contrex
 
  1  
Reply Tue 27 Dec, 2016 02:59 am
@tanguatlay,
tanguatlay wrote:
[How can I] phrase it in such a way that it is clear that Peter and Paul each owns a cat. [?]

Peter's cat and Paul's cat.


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tanguatlay
 
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Reply Tue 27 Dec, 2016 03:17 am
Great. Thanks, contrex.
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