His being absent /his absence

Cours gratuits > Forum > Forum anglais: Questions sur l'anglais || En bas

[POSTER UNE NOUVELLE REPONSE] [Suivre ce sujet]

His being absent /his absence
Message de khanhvan posté le 28-11-2011 à 08:56:43 (S | E | F)
Hello everybody,

I would like you to help me with a problem please. Can I always use the structure like " his being absent/his working hard.. instead of his absence/his hard work" for exemple : he can't do this exercise because of his being absent from class yesterday/his absence from class yesterday" or "he can't support his family inspite of his working hard/in spite of his hard work".

Here are some more examples of the same nature
Is it possible to say?
1/ I couldn't get there on time in spite of my taking a taxi
2/ She is not happy in spite of her daughter's being sucessful.
3/ She was furious because of my leaving her.
4/ I couldn't sleep last night because of my neibours' making so much noise.

And if it is possible, please explain me why I can't use this structure.
Thank you very much in advance.
Have a nice day.
khanhva

-------------------
Modifié par lucile83 le 28-11-2011 09:23

---

Réponse: His being absent /his absence de gerondif, postée le 28-11-2011 à 09:22:34 (S | E)
Hello,

1/ I couldn't get there on time in spite of my taking a taxi
2/ She is not happy in spite of her daughter's being sucessful.
3/ She was furious because of my leaving her.
4/ I couldn't sleep last night because of my neighbours' making so much noise.

All your gerund forms are perfectly correct. You can use them. Of course it is more common to say for instance:
4/ I couldn't sleep last night because my neighbours made / were making/ too much noise.

---

Réponse: His being absent /his absence de khanhvan, postée le 28-11-2011 à 15:25:27 (S | E)
Thank you very much for your help. Have a ice day.khanhva

---

[POSTER UNE NOUVELLE REPONSE] [Suivre ce sujet]

Cours gratuits > Forum > Forum anglais: Questions sur l'anglais