Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[b7lake]

#1-(1)I appreciate you discussing the details of the position with me.
(2)I appreciate your discussing the details of the position with me.
Which sentence is correct?


#2-We are privileged to be invited to visit different parts of the country,
and to the treasure of the country by the authorities.
Is the second 'to' is necessary in this sentence?

I'd appreciate your help!

[Bluegum]

In the first example, both are acceptable.
In the second, you can't just leave "to" hanging there. To see the treasures, to visit them, to examine them etc would be OK. There is "to" for an infinitive verb, (as in the first half of the sentence) and there is "to" as a preposition, (as in the second half). Both are fine, but you can't combine them like this.

[Suzanne]

Hi!

I'd like to add to the discussion about what to use with -ing forms.

Your question was about which is preferable:
(1)I appreciate you discussing the details of the position with me.
(2)I appreciate your discussing the details of the position with me.
Which sentence is correct?
While both are acceptable, #1 is informal. It's common to use object forms (like "you" or "me" or "John") before an -ing form.
Example: I don't mind you borrowing my book without asking.
My mother hates him drinking milk straight out of the carton.

However, #2 is is better grammatically. We use the possessive form (like "your" or "my" or John's") with -ing forms, especially when they come after a verb or preposition.
Example: I don't mind your borrowing my book without asking.
My mother hates his drinking milk straight out of the carton.

Again--both are used by native speakers. The second is preferred for proper grammar. [/i]