Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Chan-Seung Lee]

Which is correct and why?

1) I don't like you to arrive late.
2) I don't like you arriving late.
3) I don't like your arriving late.


Thanks.

[CP]

Both 1 and 3 are correct. In 3, "arriving" is a gerund, a noun made out of a verb, so "your arriving" is correct.

You will hear people say "you arriving" as in 2, when they should say "your arriving," but it isn't technically correct. Especially when writing, you should treat a gerund as a noun. I, for one, will appreciate your writing (and speaking) properly.
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