Investigate the grammatical correctness and logic of using an indefinite article before a plural possessive noun phrase | Step-by-Step Solution

What We're Solving:

We're examining whether "a partners' meeting" is grammatically correct, specifically looking at how indefinite articles work with plural possessive noun phrases.

The Approach:

To solve this, we need to understand what articles actually modify in a sentence and distinguish between the possessor (who owns something) and the possessed (what is owned).

Step-by-Step Solution:

Step 1: Identify what the article modifies In "a partners' meeting," the article "a" is trying to modify "meeting," not "partners." The word "partners'" is acting as a possessive adjective describing what kind of meeting it is.

Step 2: Check the number agreement

• "Partners" = plural
• "Meeting" = singular
• "A" = indefinite article for singular nouns

Since "a" modifies "meeting" (singular), this combination works grammatically.

Step 3: Understand the possessive structure The phrase breaks down as:

• "Partners'" = possessive form showing who the meeting belongs to
• "Meeting" = the actual noun being modified by the article
• "A" = describes one meeting (not multiple partners)

Step 4: Test with alternatives

• "A partner's meeting" ✓ (one partner's meeting)
• "A partners' meeting" ✓ (multiple partners' meeting)
• "Partners' meetings" ✓ (multiple meetings belonging to partners)
• "A meetings" ✗ (article-noun disagreement)

The Answer:

"A partners' meeting" is grammatically correct! The indefinite article "a" modifies the singular noun "meeting," while "partners'" serves as a possessive adjective describing whose meeting it is. The plurality of "partners" doesn't affect the article choice because the article agrees with the main noun being modified.

Memory Tip:

Think of it this way: "What am I counting?" You're counting meetings (one meeting), not partners. The article always agrees with what you're actually counting or referring to as the main noun, not with the possessive modifier that describes it!