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Usage of verb-ing modifier with possessives

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Usage of verb-ing modifier with possessives

by ommtomm » Mon Aug 31, 2015 8:01 pm
Hi

I read in one of SC OG problems- OG 2015 problem 7- that use of possessives with verb-ing is unwarranted. Please explain why is it so.

e.g. The intricate structure of the compound insect eye, with its hundreds of miniature eyes that are called ommatidia, helps explain scientists' assuming that they independently of vertebrate eye.
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by ceilidh.erickson » Fri Sep 04, 2015 8:48 am
When you see a gerund (a "verb-ing" acting as a noun), think of substituting the phrase "the act of verb-ing."

For example, "studying is hard work" = "the act of studying is hard work." It's assumed that "studying" refers to the entire concept of studying in the abstract, and not to one particular instance of studying.

For this reason, it doesn't make sense to use a gerund with a possessive. If we say "the scientists' assuming," and we try to swap in "the scientists' act of assuming," it doesn't make any sense. Since we're talking about one particular instance of assuming, and not the idea of "assuming" in the abstract, we want to say "the scientists' assumption."

Does that help?
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by ceilidh.erickson » Fri Sep 04, 2015 8:50 am
Here's more info about the use of -ING generally: https://www.beatthegmat.com/ing-form-t269857.html#694856
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