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 #2 (permalink) Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:13 am possessive case |
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"My" expresses here who is doing the dating. Without it, the sentence would be incorrect, or at least it would be interpreted as though it were mum who was dating.
Why the possessive "my" instead of objective "me"? Some native speakers might write "me" here, but most would consider it incorrect. When using an -ing form in this way, to express "the fact that Peter dates ...", the person or thing that does the dating should be in the possessive: "mum is happy with Peter's dating a girl...". She is happy with whose dating? With Peter's dating!
However, many use the 'objective' case there nowadays; except with pronouns, where most still prefer the possessive, especially traditionalists. |
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 Cerberus™
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| #3 (permalink) Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:36 am possessive case |
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Thank you, Steven. I was confused, but you cleared my mind with your detailed informations. I really appreciate it.
PS Since you have asked about whether I have a problem with being an egg with feet. No, I don't. Because( You taught me that 'for' should not be used at the start of sentence and I remember it.) eggs are much bigger than beans.(Just kidding)
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Infin1ty
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| #4 (permalink) Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:32 am possessive case |
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Hi,
I have to disagree with the comment that correctness or tradition come into play with the use of 'my' or 'me' in the type of sentence offered by Infinity. To my mind there is a distinction between: Do you mind me smoking? and Do you mind my smoking? In the first sentence the emphasis is on me doing it and in the second the emphasis is on my action.
Alan
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| #5 (permalink) Sat Feb 28, 2009 13:59 pm possessive case |
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The correctness of this has been much debated by eminent scholars, I wouldn't want to form a definite opinion. Though I think anyone will agree that at least "my" isn't wrong.
Consider Fowler:
http://www.bartleby.com/116/212.html |
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Cerberus™
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| #6 (permalink) Sat Feb 28, 2009 14:15 pm Possessive case: 'my' rather than 'I' or 'me' (He is very happy with my dating) |
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I meant exactly what I said.
Alan
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Alan
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| #7 (permalink) Sat Feb 28, 2009 14:30 pm Possessive case: 'my' rather than 'I' or 'me' (He is very happy with my dating) |
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| I never doubted that, I hope you didn't interpret my "I wouldn't" as a complement to an omitted "if I were you" - I was truly talking about myself. |
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Cerberus™
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