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Candy Chiu Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Gerund vs Present Particle

I am having a trouble understanding the difference in meaning of the following two sentences:

1. Do you mind me asking a question?
2. Do you mind my asking a question?

How should "my asking a question" be interpreted? Does "my" restrict the action of "asking a question" to be conducted only by "me"?

Thanks for your help.
  

Top answer

Welcome! Candy Chiu 1. Do you mind me asking a question?

  • Welcome!
  • Candy Chiu 1.
  • Do you mind me asking a question?
  • 2.
  • Do you mind my asking a question?
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2 Answers
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Welcome!
Candy Chiu1. Do you mind me asking a question?
2. Do you mind my asking a question?
Both are patterns people would unlikely use in everyday conversatoin.

Typically we say " do you mind if I ask you a question? ".

# 2 is fine for formal contexts.

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Hi Candy;
Welcome to the Forums.

There is no difference in meaning between the two sentences.

Traditionally, the possessive case (my) was always used before a gerund, but it's something that has been changing. So now you oten see the object case

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