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I think both "that" and " possessive 's" are correct. But which is better style and why? I learned that being concise is considered better style. The possessive 's is more concise and so better?

The system in Paris opened in 1900 and Tokyo’s opened in 1927.

The system in Paris opened in 1900 and that in Tokyo opened in 1927.

Compared with the two networks mentioned above, Washington DC's is relatively long, at 126 kilometers.

Compared with the two networks mentioned above, that in Washington DC is relatively long, at 126 kilometers.

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    This is really an opinion-based question. However, the first one reads oddly because there is no corresponding possessive in the first half of the sentence.
    – Kate Bunting
    Commented Oct 13, 2022 at 14:09
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    Tokyo's/DC's sounds a lot more idiomatic to me (in the US). I also think I like "that of" better than "that in," though I don't have particularly strong feelings there. More on the topic: ell.stackexchange.com/a/304050/142351
    – cruthers
    Commented Oct 13, 2022 at 14:21
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    I am not familiar with how you are using that. This does not appear correct. Do you have any type of support for why you think The system in Paris opened in 1900 and that in Tokyo opened in 1927. Your usage of that is not idiomatic. It refers to the System in Paris. I am assuming the system in Paris did not open in Tokyo, ever, seeing how it was in Paris. In AmE, we would say the one in D.C.
    – EllieK
    Commented Oct 13, 2022 at 14:25
  • @EllieK-Don'tsupporther, I don't have any support for why I think "that" is correct. I just thought it were correct. I edited my question.
    – newbie forever
    Commented Oct 13, 2022 at 14:36
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    @Sam When you compare dimensions or weights, the preposition "at" can be used. The lightweight boxer came in at 125 pounds.
    – Lambie
    Commented Oct 13, 2022 at 15:21

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The system in Paris opened in 1900 and Tokyo’s [system] opened in 1927.

The second system is implied.

This is common usage, especially in spoken English.

OR

The system in Paris opened in 1900 and the one in Tokyo opened in 1927.

[formal, written usage]

Same thing here:
Compared with the two networks mentioned above, Washington DC's is relatively long, at 126 kilometers.

Compared with the two networks mentioned above, the one in Washington DC is relatively long, at 126 kilometers.

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  • Thank you very much for your answer. I found this sentence in an answer to an older question: The air quality in this city is better than that of Boston. I think it has almost the same structure as my first pair of sentences. That's to say, I can say "that of Tokyo"?
    – newbie forever
    Commented Oct 13, 2022 at 15:25
  • @Learner110 Yes, ok. So, you could use: The system in Paris opened in 1900 and that of Tokyo opened in 1927. But it sounds so ugly here. "the one" is much smoother.
    – Lambie
    Commented Oct 13, 2022 at 15:27
  • Thank you, why does "that of Tokyo" sound so ugly but "that of Boston" doesn't?
    – newbie forever
    Commented Oct 13, 2022 at 15:30
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    @Learner110 I can't tell you exactly. Maybe because there are not two sentences with an "and".
    – Lambie
    Commented Oct 13, 2022 at 16:33
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    @Learner110 - It is important to remember that possession in the phrase that of Tokyo is indicated by the use of the word of. The word that plays no part in indicating possession, not in this instance, not in any instance. Those are the shoes of Robert. Those are Robert's shoes.
    – EllieK
    Commented Oct 13, 2022 at 16:40

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