Let’s remember that a gerund is a verb +ing:
We use a possessive before a gerund to
indicate the performer of the action:
1. Possessive (´s / ´) Formal
2. Possessive adjective Less formal
3. Object pronoun Informal
4. Noun Informal
1. Possessive + Gerund
My brother doesn´t clean his bedroom. I´m really annoyed by it.
WHAT´S THE ACTION?
CLEAN
WHO IS THE PERFORMER?
MY BROTHER
I´m annoyed by my brother´s not cleaning his bedroom.
2. Possessive Adjective + Gerund
He smokes cigarettes. The doctor objects to it.
WHAT´S THE ACTION?
SMOKES CIGARETTES
WHO IS THE PERFORMER?
HE
The doctor objects to his smoking cigarettes.
3. Object Pronoun + gerund
He plays his MP3 player in the library. I don´t appreciate that.
WHAT´S THE ACTION?
PLAYS HIS MP3 PLAYER IN THE LIBRARY
WHO IS THE PERFORMER?
HE
I don´t appreciate him playing his MP3 player in the library.
4. Noun + gerund
Sue talks on the cell phone all the time. We don´t mind it.
WHAT´S THE ACTION?
TALKS ON THE CELL PHONE ALL THE TIME
WHO IS THE PERFORMER?
SUE
We don´t mind Sue talking on the cell phone all the time.
Performed by: Alexandra Jiménez
Exercise 1: Combine the pairs of sentences. Change that fact to a gerund phrase. Use
formal English, and write in brackets the informal use of it.
1. Mary won a scholarship. We are excited about that fact.
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2. He didn’t want to go. I couldn´t understand that fact.
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3. You took the time to help us. We greatly appreciate that fact.
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4. We talked about him behind his back. The boy resented that fact.
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5. They ran away to get married. That fact shocked everyone.
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6. You are late to work every morning. I will no longer tolerate that fact.
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7. Ann borrowed Sally’s clothes without asking her first. Sally complained about that fact.
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8. Helen is here to answer our questions about the company’s new insurance plan. We
should take advantage of that fact.
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9. We came to class late. Mr. Lee complained about that fact.
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10. You asked my opinion on that matter. I really appreciate that fact.
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Exercise 2: For each of the following sentences, fill in the blank with the possessive
adjective which agrees with the noun or pronoun shown in brackets.
1. ______ barking kept us awake. (the dog)
2. ______ arriving on time was fortunate. (we)
3. ______ swooping and darting was a sign that it would rain. (the swallows)
4. ______ following the guidelines was a good idea. (you)
5. ______ agreeing to forward the mail was helpful. (the students)
6. ______ answering the questions so easily was unexpected. (he)
7. ______ driving the car saved a great deal of time. (I)
8. ______ speaking so forcefully impressed the audience. (the woman)
9. ______ entering the race was intended as a gesture of goodwill. (we)
10. ______ chiming told us the time. (the clock)
Performed by: Alexandra Jiménez
