Abstract: This article discusses the decline of the genitive in Dutch and its relation to current genitive-like constructions in DP, such as the - s -construction, the z'n -construction, and the van -construction. Phonological processes alone cannot be held responsible for the loss of case morphology. An independent theory of hierarchically ordered case explains why cases disappear in a particular order. As the accusative and dative were reduced, this eliminated the very roots of the case system, and language learners were subsequently unable to develop the genitive. The genitive was succeeded by two constructions that are essentially different, namely the van -construction and the - s -construction. A syntactic analysis of each of these constructions is presented and compared to another possessive structure, the z'n -construction. The van -construction arises because a noun, as opposed to a verb, does not allow its functional complement to be unspecified. The birth of the prenominal - s -construction is related to the arrival of a determiner system. The last section discusses remnants of morphological genitives in noun phrases. These forms are acquired at a relatively later stage in life, much like a second language, and are therefore not part of core grammar.