Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[hela]

Dear teachers,

Would you say that "a woman's hat" or "a women's hat" as a synonym expression to "a hat for women"?

All the best,
Hela

[myprofe]

You should say "women's hat". And you can find this article of clothing in the "women's" department of the shop.
_________________
I'm never going to learn if you don't correct my mistakes!

[hela]

Thank you myprofe.

But can we use an article before the genitive: A women's hat, A men's dressing room ?

Best regards

[myprofe]

Yes, of course. Haven't you heard the expressions "It's a man's/woman's world"?
_________________
I'm never going to learn if you don't correct my mistakes!

[hela]

Yes but here "man's" and "woman's" are in the singular. (It's true though that they have a plural meaning, right?)
Is it also the case with plural nouns?

[myprofe]

A man's job is a job for a man or a job for men.

The men use the men's room and the women use the ladies' room.

Sometimes the singular is used and other times the plural is used and I don't know why.
_________________
I'm never going to learn if you don't correct my mistakes!

[hela]

So would you say "A mEn's hairdresser" or " A mAn's hairdresser" ?

May I ask you if you could answer some of my questions in my post entitled "correct constructions" ? I have had no answers so far and I would be grateful if someone could help me before tomorrow.

Yours sincerely,
Hela