I have two examples here where the particle の is used where I would've used が
so I was hoping someone could explain if there's a difference in these
instances, or if either is acceptable.

主人のいない侍

顔のない男

Is there a reason の is used in place of が/is the meaning the same if one is
used over the other?
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2020-05-27T17:18:15.637
77651
2020-05-28T20:29:02.840
29707
question
grammar particles
Difference between using が and の in these sentences
Both of の and が is OK to understand above two sentence. The reason is because
侍 have 主人, and 男 have 顔(usually).

But sometimes の and が can't be used. 〇 Aさんが私に書いた地図 ✕ Aさんの私に書いた地図 →because 地図
doesn't belong to Ａさん

〇 Bさんが私にくれた時計 ✕ Bさんの私にくれた時計 →because 時計 doesn't belong to B さん
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2020-05-28T02:16:55.497
77666
2020-05-28T02:16:55.497
37138
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answer
In short, relative (adjectival) clauses (that is, short phrases modifying a
noun), の can replace が. There's really not much to say about it, other than
that it is only used in very short clauses (usually subject の verb-or-
adjective, and that's it), and if it's ambiguous with a "possessive" の than
you either can't use it, or it has to "work either way".

You also wouldn't use it if there's any emphasis on the thing before が - the
construction kind of makes the whole sub-phrase sound like a single adjective
(I mean, that's what it is already, regardless of の vs が - but it sounds more
flat with the の, I think)
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2020-05-28T20:29:02.840
77684
2020-05-28T20:29:02.840
39129
77651
answer