When scheduling your annual health check-up, you might pause to consider the correct phrasing: Is it a “doctor’s appointment” or a “doctor appointment”? While both options might sound acceptable, one is decidedly more common and grammatically nuanced in the English language. If you’re like most native English speakers, “doctor’s appointment” likely rolls off the tongue more naturally.
But why is “doctor’s appointment” preferred over “doctor appointment,” even though both might seem to convey the same meaning? The answer delves into the subtle yet fascinating world of English grammar and word usage. While “doctor appointment” isn’t inherently wrong, understanding the grammatical reasons behind the popularity of “doctor’s appointment” reveals a deeper appreciation for the language we use every day. Let’s explore the reasons why “doctor’s appointment” is the conventional choice and what grammatical principles are at play.
Deciphering the ‘s: Possession and More
One of the primary roles of the apostrophe-s (‘s) in English is to indicate possession, familiar in phrases like “the dog’s bone.” While alternative ways to show possession exist, such as “the bone of the dog,” the ‘s construction is the go-to method for most English speakers.
However, the function of ‘s extends beyond simple possession. Though it may raise eyebrows among grammar purists, ‘s can also mark plurals in certain contexts, like “mind your p’s and q’s.” Additionally, it serves as a contraction, shortening “us” in “let’s” and “is” in words like “it’s,” “she’s,” and “he’s.”
Interestingly, there’s another function of ‘s that often gets overlooked, one that resembles possession but signifies something different entirely. Consider the phrase “the bird’s song.” Here, the song isn’t owned by the bird in a possessive sense, but rather it originates from the bird. In “the bird’s song,” the ‘s doesn’t denote strict possession but marks what grammarians call the genitive of origin.
Unpacking the Genitive Case
The term “genitive case” might sound like a relic of ancient grammar lessons, yet it’s crucial to understanding the subtle mechanics of phrases like “doctor’s appointment.” In essence, the genitive case is a grammatical category that indicates a relationship of ownership, control, or association between two entities. Think of it as a broader concept than just simple possession.
In modern English, the genitive case is often referred to as the possessive case, largely due to the influence of 18th-century grammarians. While “possessive case” is commonly used, “genitive case” provides a more encompassing understanding, as it includes not only ownership but also control and association.
Within the genitive case, we find categories like the “genitive of origin,” as seen in “the bird’s song.” Another relevant category for our discussion is the descriptive genitive. Grammar experts Patricia T. O’Conner and Stewart Kellerman, on their Grammarphobia blog, aptly identify “doctor’s appointment” as an example of the descriptive genitive. They explain the distinction between “doctor’s appointment” and “doctor appointment” this way:
In the phrase “doctor’s appointment,” the noun “doctor” is being used genitively to describe the type of appointment, while in “doctor appointment,” the noun is being used attributively (that is, adjectivally) to do the same thing.
The term “doctor’s” in the first example is often called a “descriptive genitive,” and “doctor” in the second an “attributive noun,” a “noun adjunct,” or a “noun premodifier.”
Essentially, “doctor’s” in “doctor’s appointment” functions to describe the kind of appointment, indicating it’s an appointment related to a doctor. Conversely, “doctor” in “doctor appointment” acts more like an adjective, directly modifying “appointment.”
While grammatical rules might suggest either form is acceptable, native English speakers lean towards “doctor’s appointment” due to idiomatic preference. Both “doctor’s appointment” and “doctor appointment” are grammatically sound, but the former has become the established convention, especially since “doctor” started being used to modify “appointment” in the latter half of the 20th century. Ultimately, the prevalence of “doctor’s appointment” comes down to linguistic convention and what sounds most natural to our ears.
