0
Laborious Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

"to come back" or "coming back"

Hi,

Please tell me the difference between the two structures that are underlined.

1) I will wait for you to come back.

2) I will wait for your coming back. (I think this one is a "gerundial construction" containing the gerund "coming" with its subject "your" and direct object "back". Am I right, teachers?)

I don't know how I would define the underlined structure in #1 if I were to.

Thank you all.
  

Top answer

Both are correct; but #2 sounds awkward to the American ear and would probably not be used. I shall wait for your return is the natural choice. (or await your return ) (upper register ) Laborious I don't know how I would define the underlined structure in #1 if I were to.

— Avangi

  • Both are correct; but #2 sounds awkward to the American ear and would probably not be used.
  • I shall wait for your return is the natural choice.
  • (or await your return ) (upper register ) Laborious I don't know how I would define the underlined structure in #1 if I were to.
  • Where's CJ?
Free · every Monday

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
Both are correct; but #2 sounds awkward to the American ear and would probably not be used.

I shall wait for your return is the natural choice. (or await your return) (upper register
0
0
AvangiWhere's CJ?
I'm right here. Emotion: smile

CJ
0
0
LaboriousI will wait for your coming back.
Not very idiomatic.

your ~ "you", the subject of the gerund.
coming back : the gerund form of the phrasal verb "to come back".

There is no direct object there.

CJ
0

Related Questions