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Servlette Posted 22 years ago
Grammar

Clarification required

Why it is incorrect to say, "She does not approve of me buying a flat" ? I was told, the correct usage is "She does not approve of I buying a flat"
I am not a native speaker of English and I've this doubt in mind for years.
I feel this forum is the right place to get an answer for my doubt.

Thanks in advance,
Servlette
  

Top answer

Hi Servlette, Welcome to English Forums. You were told wrong. The formally correct sentence is 'She does not approve of my buying a flat'.

— Mister Micawber

  • Hi Servlette, Welcome to English Forums.
  • You were told wrong.
  • The formally correct sentence is 'She does not approve of my buying a flat'.
  • The rationale is, what is being approved-- the person or the purchase?
  • She does not approve of me = she does not like me.
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4 Answers
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Hi Servlette,

Welcome to English Forums.

You were told wrong. The formally correct sentence is 'She does not approve of my buying a flat'. The rationale is, what is being approved-- the person or the purchase?

She does not approve of me = she does not like me.
She does not approve of my buying = she does not like the fact that I am buying.

Howe
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Hi Micawber,
Thanks for your fast response. By oversight, I typed "I" for "my".
Anyway could you tell me the grammar behind this?

Which one is correct?

A. I don't approve of John buying a flat.

or

B. I don't approve of John's buying a flat.

If possible, please tell me in detail.

Thanks in advance,
Servlette
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I am afraid that I just did tell you in detail; it is quite simple:

A. I don't approve of John buying a flat.
B. I don't approve of John's buying a flat.

Which lacks approval, John or the purchase?

I don't approve of John = I don't like John, the person. He is an unattractive, irritating person, whether he's buying something, or just sitting there doing
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Mr Micawber,
Thank you once again. You've cleared my doubt.
Anyway, if possible, can you suggest me a web page to find out the complete grammar involved for this kind of usage of sentences?

Thanks in advance.

Servlette
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