When you need to schedule a health check, you might wonder about the correct phrasing. Is it a “doctor’s appointment” or a “doctor appointment”? If you’re like most English speakers, “doctor’s appointment” probably sounds more natural. While it is indeed more common, “doctor appointment” is also perfectly acceptable.
So, why the subtle difference and why the preference for “doctor’s appointment”? Let’s delve into the nuances of English grammar to understand these phrases and clarify any confusion.
Understanding the Role of the Apostrophe: It’s Not Just About Possession
The apostrophe followed by an ‘s’ ('s) in English often signifies possession, like in “the dog’s bone.” However, this isn’t its only function. While less commonly recognized, 's can also indicate other relationships beyond simple ownership.
Consider the phrase “the cat’s meow.” Here, the meow isn’t owned by the cat, but rather it originates from the cat. This illustrates a broader grammatical concept known as the genitive case, specifically the genitive of origin.
Diving Deeper: The Genitive Case Explained
The genitive case, in essence, is a grammatical tool to show association, origin, and relationships, not just possession. Think of it as indicating a connection or a descriptive link between two nouns. While modern English often simplifies this to what’s commonly called the possessive case, the genitive case encompasses a wider range of relationships.
In the context of “doctor’s appointment,” the word “doctor’s” is an example of what grammarians call a descriptive genitive. This is expertly explained by Patricia T. O’Conner and Stewart Kellerman on their Grammarphobia blog, where they compare “doctor’s appointment” with “doctor appointment.”
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.
Let’s break this down further. In “doctor’s appointment,” “doctor’s” acts as a descriptive genitive, specifying the kind of appointment it is – an appointment related to or provided by a doctor. The apostrophe-‘s signals this descriptive, genitive relationship.
On the other hand, “doctor appointment” uses “doctor” as an attributive noun, also known as a noun adjunct or noun premodifier. Here, “doctor” functions more like an adjective, directly modifying “appointment” to indicate its type. Think of it similarly to phrases like “business meeting” or “school bus,” where “business” and “school” act as attributive nouns describing the type of meeting or bus.
Doctor’s Appointment vs. Doctor Appointment: Usage and Preference
Grammatically, both “doctor’s appointment” and “doctor appointment” are correct. There isn’t a strict rule dictating when to use the genitive form versus the attributive noun form. However, language often leans towards idiomatic expressions – phrases that sound natural and are commonly used by native speakers.
Research into language usage indicates that “doctor’s appointment” has become the more idiomatic choice, particularly since the latter half of the 20th century when these phrases became more common. The preference for “doctor’s appointment” over “doctor appointment” is largely a matter of linguistic convention and what sounds most natural to the majority of English speakers.
Conclusion: Both Are Valid, But One is More Common
In summary, when scheduling time with your physician, you can confidently use either “doctor’s appointment” or “doctor appointment.” Both phrases are grammatically sound ways to express the same meaning. However, “doctor’s appointment,” with its descriptive genitive “doctor’s,” is the more prevalent and conventionally accepted form in contemporary English. This preference is primarily driven by idiomatic usage rather than a strict grammatical rule, making “doctor’s appointment” the go-to phrase for most native English speakers.
