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possessive with gerunds
A gerund is a verb form ending in ing, such as being, doing, having, going, reading or writing. Although it is a verb form, a gerund does not act as a verb. Instead, it acts as a noun and can do whatever a noun can do. For example, a gerund can be the subject or object of a verb or the object of a preposition: Leaving was a wise decision. [Leaving is the subject of the verb was.] We celebrated winning. [Winning is the object of the verb celebrated.] Natalie objects to borrowing. [Borrowing is the object of the preposition to.] Using the possessive before a gerund We often put a noun or pronoun in front of a gerund to show who or what is doing the action in the gerund. This noun or pronoun is called the subject of the gerund. In formal writing, the subject of the gerund should be in the possessive form: Your leaving early was a wise decision. We celebrated Gord’s winning the contest. Natalie objected to my borrowing her hockey stick. Note: In informal writing, there is a trend toward dropping the possessive before a gerund. We often use a simple noun or an object pronoun instead: We celebrated Gord winning the contest. Natalie objected to me borrowing her hockey stick. However, in formal writing, the use of the possessive form before a gerund is still preferred. Also, the possessive form may be important for clarity. Consider the difference between the two examples below: Jorge is in favour of the candidate being interviewed Friday. [Jorge likes the candidate who has an interview on Friday.] Jorge is in favour of the candidate’s being interviewed Friday. [Jorge wants the interview to be on Friday.] Rewording to avoid the possessive If the possessive before a gerund seems stilted, simply reword the sentence: Your decision to leave early was a wise one. We celebrated Gord’s success. Natalie objected when I borrowed her hockey stick. Jorge is in favour of holding the interview Friday.its, it’s
Even experienced writers misuse these words if they are not paying close attention. Its is the possessive form of it, and is the correct spelling if his or her can be substituted. Canada relies on its exports to increase its prosperity. The puppy chased its (his) tail until it (he) crashed into the sofa. My boat is fast, but its (her) jib is worn. It’s is a contraction of it is or it has. Write it’s when it is or it has is intended. It’s (or It is) a miracle that Samina survived the rapids after capsizing her canoe. It’s a girl! It’s (or It has) been an exciting experience to bicycle across Canada.your, you’re, yours
Write you’re when the long form you are can be used instead. You’re (or You are) late again! The adjective your and the pronoun yours are both possessive forms of you. Do not write either one with an apostrophe. Ms. Kalil, you can pick up your car at the garage today. Are these files yours? No, they’re yours.noun used as an adjective
Nouns used as adjectives remain invariable unless they are made possessive. Thus, in the example Flight Numbers AB123 and CD456 are now ready for boarding. the noun flight does not take an s because it is acting not as a noun but as an adjective modifying the noun Numbers. However, nouns used as adjectives may be in the possessive form, in which case they are followed by ’s: The flight’s passengers were fortunately not injured in the incident.Queen’s University
The name of Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, (like that of its namesake in Belfast) is spelled with an apostrophe before the s. Linda and Louis met while studying at Queen’s University.
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