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Palinkasocsi Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Their desregarding the fact?


Dear Friends,

I just wonder, whether the possessive can be used in the sentence bellow (my intuition says "yes" but I'd need some natve feedback):

My final point of criticism of the classical approaches to verbal irony concerns their disregarding the fact that saying the opposite of what one means is patently irrational.

Thanks a lot.

Palinkasocsi
  

Top answer

Hi Palinkasocsi, The use of the possessive before a gerund is actually the correct form, but not often used in everyday speech, so it sounds odd to some people now. Compare: Doesn't his calling so late at night annoy you? I appreciate your coming over on such short notice.

— BarbaraPA

  • Hi Palinkasocsi, The use of the possessive before a gerund is actually the correct form, but not often used in everyday speech, so it sounds odd to some people now.
  • Compare: Doesn't his calling so late at night annoy you?
  • I appreciate your coming over on such short notice.
  • Acme Corporation's resumption of regular deliveries will begin on December 30.
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4 Answers
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Hi Palinkasocsi,

The use of the possessive before a gerund is actually the correct form, but not often used in everyday speech, so it sounds odd to some people now.

Compare:

Doesn't his calling so late at night annoy you?
I appreciate your coming over on such short notice.
Acme Corporation's resumption of regular deliveries will begin on December 30.
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Hi Grammar Geek,

As I understand, my sentence is correct though not frequently used in common parlance. It does not matter because I intend to use it in an academic paper.

Thanks again.

Palinkasocsi
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It is correct.

I didn't realize it was your writing. You don't really need us very much, if you're writing like that, do you?

Would you consider "...their disregard for the fact that..."?
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Dear Grammar Geek,

Thanks for your suggestions. You know, I am currently writing a paper on irony. Since English is not my first language, I occasionally need some feedback. Anyway, when the paper is ready, I will need a proofreader .

Best,

Palinkasocsi
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