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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Putting a possessive in front of a gerund?
Hi,
I think these three patterns that involve a gerund have stuck in my mind and want to share with you. I hope you would give me your feedback on the statements I made and/or respond to the question.
I think it is well known that a gerund can act as a noun.
Studying English is a productive thing to do.
But I think this sentence pattern would be not so natural:
His studying English past eleven at night has caused difficulty in my getting a good sleep at nights.
But if I change the noun "English" and replace it with a presitional phrase, then the sentence that results after doing that seems natural and correct.
His playing with us has increased our chance of winning the Championship.
Do you agree?
I think these three patterns that involve a gerund have stuck in my mind and want to share with you. I hope you would give me your feedback on the statements I made and/or respond to the question.
I think it is well known that a gerund can act as a noun.
Studying English is a productive thing to do.
But I think this sentence pattern would be not so natural:
His studying English past eleven at night has caused difficulty in my getting a good sleep at nights.
But if I change the noun "English" and replace it with a presitional phrase, then the sentence that results after doing that seems natural and correct.
His playing with us has increased our chance of winning the Championship.
Do you agree?
Top answer
Hi Anonymous, According to Grammar Books a possessive adjective can be used as the subject of a gerund (and so do object pronouns, names or the possessive case). eg. I'll never forget his/him/John/John's arriving home after midnight .
- Hi Anonymous, According to Grammar Books a possessive adjective can be used as the subject of a gerund (and so do object pronouns, names or the possessive case).
- eg.
- I'll never forget his/him/John/John's arriving home after midnight .
- Effie
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5 Answers
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Hi Anonymous,
According to Grammar Books a possessive adjective can be used as the subject of a gerund (and so do object pronouns, names or the possessive case).
eg. I'll never forget his/him/John/John's arriving home after midnight.
Effie
According to Grammar Books a possessive adjective can be used as the subject of a gerund (and so do object pronouns, names or the possessive case).
eg. I'll never forget his/him/John/John's arriving home after midnight.
Effie
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AnonymousBut I think this sentence pattern would be not so natural:It might not feel natural, but it's completely correct. You can always re-write if it seems weird to you. His late-night studying habits are interfering iwth my sleep!
His studying English past eleven at night has caused difficulty in my getting a good sleep at nights.
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AnonymousDo you agree?No. Your sentence His studying English past eleven ... is not so unnatural as you claim. Your replacement of English with a prepositional phrase does nothing to change the "naturalness" of the grammar.
All of your three examples are fine and natural, except it's at night, not at nights.
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Hi, when can I use the words "at nights'' instead of "at night"? I think I usually have used "at night" and don't know when to use "at nights". I think the word "night" a variable noun.
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Anonymouswhen can I use the words "at nights'' instead of "at night"Never. at night is a fixed expression.
CJ
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