Writing

Actually, I think that of reads more naturally.

Really? If 'someone' is the one who writes, is 'of' really better?

Or is it that you took the sentence as meaning that the writing is about someone who is better than me at that kind of thing, and thought that in that sense, 'of' works better?

Let me ask this way. Do these mean the same?

I like reading the writing by him.
I like reading the writing of him.

TakaLet me ask this way. Do these mean the same?I like reading the writing by him.I like reading the writing of him.

No native would say that.
I like reading his writing.

But you can say "I can tell this was written by him." Or "I can tell this is his writing."

Grammar Geek TakaLet me ask this way. Do these mean the same?I like reading the writing by him.I like reading the writing of him.No native would say that. I like reading his writing. But you can say "I can tell this was written by him." Or "I can tell this is his writing."

Yes, 'his writing' is better. I agree.

But the problem I have now is that I hav

I like reading the writing of someone better than me.
I like to read something written by someone better than me.

I see. It seems that basically you agree with Philip:'someone' of 'the writing of someone' is the one who writes it; it doesn't mean the writing is about 'someone', right?

TakaI see. It seems that basically you agree with Philip:'someone' of 'the writing of someone' is the one who writes it; it doesn't mean the writing is about 'someone', right?

Yes.
"The picture of Jerry Jones" refers to the picture in which Jerry Jones is pictured.
"The photography of Jerry Jones" refers to picture that Jerry took.

"The story

Good.

But if it were 'the works' instead of 'the writing', it would be this, wouldn't it be?

I like reading the writing of someone better than me?I like reading the works by someone better than me.

I'd use "of" for "the works."