0
Grammarwannabe Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
genitive phrases
can anyone answer why the genitive phrase is used in a sentence like "The liklihood if a man's being diagnosed with breast cancer..."
I think it is considered gramattically correct. I am just wondering what the purpose of using it in such a sentence would be.
I think it is considered gramattically correct. I am just wondering what the purpose of using it in such a sentence would be.
Top answer
Grammarwannabe The lik e lihood o f a man's being diagnosed ... The subject of a gerund clause is in the possessive case. a man is diagnosed is the base clause.
- Grammarwannabe The lik e lihood o f a man's being diagnosed ...
- The subject of a gerund clause is in the possessive case.
- a man is diagnosed is the base clause.
- a man becomes a man's when is changed to being .
- CJ
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
3 Answers
0
GrammarwannabeThe likelihood of a man's being diagnosed ...The subject of a gerund clause is in the possessive case.
a man is diagnosed is the base clause.
a man becomes a man's when is changed to being.
CJ
00
Thanks... sorry about the typos.
So... "the likelihood of man being diagnosed" is a recent variation?
So... "the likelihood of man being diagnosed" is a recent variation?
00
GrammarwannabeSo... "the likelihood of man being diagnosed" is a recent variation?Recent variation? I don't know for certain what you mean.
The accusative case is an alternate for the possessive case in these constructions.
People have been arguing for years whether this alternative is as correct as the possessive. In practical terms you w
0
Related Questions