Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Junkomama]

Hello, teachers.
Is the second sentense unacceptable?

1.He recommended Mary's quitting smoking.
2.He recommended Mary quitting smoking.
3.He recommended Mary to quit smoking.

Thank you in advance!
Junkomama

[2006]

Yes, the second sentence is unacceptable according to the rules of grammar, specifically the rule that a gerund must be preceded by the possessive form of a noun or pronoun.
The first sentence is grammatically correct, but most people would say 'He recommended that Mary quit smoking.'
The third sentence is also one that would rarely if ever be said.

[Junkomama]

Thank you very much for your reply, 2006-san!!

>the rules of grammar, specifically the rule that a gerund must be preceded by the possessive form of a noun or pronoun.

I know the rule, but I saw the following sentences in my grammer book and I'm confused.
" I can't understand my brother('s) being in love with her."
" He insisted on John('s) not going there alone."
The book says "When a gerund is the object of a verb or a preposition, 's is usually omitted."

Is it something different from my sentence?

Regards,
Junkomama

[2006]

It seems that in the two sentences you quoted, the writer is saying that 's is optional. This rule is often ignored by native speakers, and many are probably not even aware of the rule.

I am not aware of any exceptions to the rule, but maybe someone has some exceptions.

I don't know if there is anything particularly different about your sentences but I would say, 'He insisted that John not go there alone.' In the first sentence, I would say brother's. The people who explain the rationale of this rule say that it is not my brother that I can't understand. It is my 'brother's being in love.......' that I can't understand.

Maybe someone else has more to add.

[Junkomama]

Thank you again、2006-san!
I'll remember that "insist that・・・" and "recommend that・・・" are most natural.

Regards,
Junkomama