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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Passive gerund

Dear teachers,

Hello to everyone, could I ask you a question?

1. His being chosen as a headmaster have surprised us. (present perfect tense)

2. His being chosen as a headmaster surprised us. (past tense)

Do I have to change the gerund to "having been chosen" in both sentences above?

His having been chosen as a headmaster surprised/have surprised us.

Thanks for your help[E]
  

Top answer

Anonymous 2. His being chosen as a headmaster surprised us. I would only use the second sentence since the surprise occurred in the past and is more or less over now.

— Cool Breeze

  • Anonymous 2.
  • His being chosen as a headmaster surprised us.
  • I would only use the second sentence since the surprise occurred in the past and is more or less over now.
  • The indefinite article should be omitted as there is usually only one headmaster in a school.
  • I have been told by British friends that head teacher is the preferred word these days.
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3 Answers
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Anonymous2. His being chosen as a headmaster surprised us.
I would only use the second sentence since the surprise occurred in the past and is more or less over now. The indefinite article should be omitted as there is usually only one headmaster in a school. I have been told by British friends that head teacher is the preferred word these days.
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Hi, CB

Couldn't we argue that this could be OK also? If it relates to the present time in some way?

His having been chosen as headmaster has/have suprised us.

Should we use 'have' or 'has' after a gerund phrase? Why?

Thanks
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It should be the singular "has."

The choice - "the having been chosen" is the grammatical subject.

It has surprised us.
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