Re: gerunds and possesion

[Barry Lockard <barry -at- BGS -dot- COM>]

>Rebecca M. Phillips asks about using a possesive with a gerund. I
>have a feeling that this may be an example of language's changing
>character (Ha...I knew I could do it).

>I'm usually pretty good with spotting "incorrect" usage. I had to look
>twice to find the "offending" passage. And now, my example looks
>odd to me. Anyone else??


>Kip Dale
>Training Manager (and general all purpose guy)
>nanabelles
>kipd -at- softlaw -dot- com -dot- au
>http://www.softlaw.com.au/nanabelles

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My understanding is that the contraction "Eric's stopping" is correct
usage.  The form "language's changing" is not because the contraction
should only be used for personal possession.  Rather, the usage sould be
"the changing character of language".


Barry

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