The double possessive is used when we wish to place emphasis on the person who possesses rather than the thing which he possesses.

He is a friend of mine. (The emphasis is on mine not friend.)
Is he not a friend of yours?
I once lent him a book of mine and never got it back.
He got several awards for a documentary of his.

When used with this, that, these and those, the double possessive may express slight contempt or ridicule.

That boy of yours has broken my window again.
These shoes of mine pinch me terribly.

Grammar exercise

Change the phrases in italics into the double possessive construction.

1. That is one of my favorite songs.
2. It is one of John’s weaknesses to bet on horses.
3. I hear that one of your neighbors has filed a suit against you.

Answers

1. That is a favorite song of mine.
2. It is a weakness of John’s to bet on horses.
3. I hear that a neighbor of yours has filed a suit against you.

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