English Grammar

Question

Although it is windy, I went out.If I rewriteIn spite of it being windy, I went out.Is the sentence right  or wrong?

MrGuedes · Accepted Answer

I think it is acceptable.

However, as I've been led to believe, some people would deem it wrong (it is a discussable point in English grammar), instead saying that the possessive must be used in such cases, making it: In spite of its being windy, I went out.

Beware, nevertheless, that such a statement is probably rather formal, and thus unlikely to be heard in informal, everyday conversations (unless, of course, you are talking to people like me, who constantly care about writing and speaking properly).

Philip · Answer

I agree with all your points, MrG!

MrGuedes · Answer

PhilipI agree with all your points, MrG!

Ah! Thank you, Philip! Honestly, I wasn't entirely sure of all I said, but now I'm confident that my experience here at EnglishForward has actually taught me something, and that I've learnt it all well!

Fivejedjon · Answer

MrGuedespeople like me, who constantly care about writing and speaking properly

I agree with all your remarks except this one. You seem to me to be suggesting that a more formal way of speaking is in some way 'proper', with perhaps the implication that a more informal way of speaking is not.

MrGuedes · Answer

fivejedjonI agree with all your remarks except this one. You seem to me to be suggesting that a more formal way of speaking is in some way 'proper', with perhaps the implication that a more informal way of speaking is not.

Yes, you're right. That's not exactly what I meant. It's just that, in general, I care about writing and speaking both in a proper manner (that is, in a correct manner, following all grammatical rules) and in a formal manner (one that enhances the quality of my speech, by respecting many discussable ‘rules’, where disrespecting them might be regarded as either incorrect or acceptable, depending on whom you ask).

It is because of the former that, for example, I do not use any doubles negatives, and that, when they are depressed, I comfort my friends who do not care about grammar by saying, ‘Their, there, they're...’.

The reason is correctness and propriety in speech. It is also because of this that I dislike comma splices; they almost hurt my eyes! Let us not forget that failing to respect punctuation rules may have disastrous consequences (remember that the panda ‘eats shoots and leaves’: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eats,_Shoots_%26_Leaves).

It is because of the latter that, for example, when one reads my posts, one will find that I tend to use the generic one; or that I shall always attempt to maintain a distinction between will and shall. The reason is just personal preference. In a way, when I am speaking to someone, I like to speak more formally than they. Attempting to speak in such a way helps me make fewer grammatical mistakes. Much to my disgust, I have found myself saying that I was ‘doing good’.

That is essentially it. As for the second set of ‘rules’, I cannot say that those who disrespect them are speaking incorrectly or improperly; just not in the way that I would speak.

Clive · Answer

Although it was windy, I went out.

Anonymous · Answer

.....Was - went out .
In spite of the strong wind, I still went out.

Anonymous · Answer

@ MrG,
I have read your threads and with high regard, I beg to differ even though your version is grammatically correct. I find your version " In spite of its being windy, I went out". sounded a bit too stiff for the ear.

....... who constantly care about writing and speaking properly).

Sometimes, being conversationally casual doesn't mean being grammatically improper as long as one knows when and how. Many people who live their lives by the book but would likely to limit their ability by its covers. Just my thought....

MrGuedes · Answer

Anonymous@ MrG,I have read your threads and with high regard, I beg to differ even though your version is grammatically correct. I find your version " In spite of its being windy, I went out". sounded a bit too stiff for the ear.

Sometimes, being conversationally casual doesn't mean being grammatically improper as long as one knows when and how. Many people who live their lives by the book but would likely to limit their ability by its covers. Just my thought....

Of course! Have you read my most recent post? I clarified it there. I like to speak in such a way; it is mostly a personal preference. I respect your preferences as well, even though I choose not to abide by them. That does not make you a ‘grammar rule-breaker’.

CalifJim · Answer

MrGuedesthe possessive must be used ... In spite of its being windy, I went out.

How about

In spite of there's being a lot of wind, I went out.

?

CJ

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