(Possessive + Gerund) Vs (Noun + Relative Pronoun)

[rishabh26jain]

Can anybody explain the difference between these two sentences.


I am irritated by people who sing loudly.
I am irritated by people's loud singing.

When do i have to use "possessive + gerund" and when do i have to use "noun + relative pronoun introducing a clause" ???

[jnelson0612]

Can anybody explain the difference between these two sentences.


I am irritated by people who sing loudly.
I am irritated by people's loud singing.

When do i have to use "possessive + gerund" and when do i have to use "noun + relative pronoun introducing a clause" ???

In the first sentence you are irritated by people who have a particular characteristic; in the second sentence you are irritated by the singing itself but not by the people.

I think your second sentence is kind of awkward because of the "people's"; I would just say "I am irritated by loud singing" or "I am irritated by Ken's loud singing". Here's a nice link about possessive + gerund: http://www.dianahacker.com/bedhandbook6 ... erund.html

Since either of these could be grammatically correct the issue would be more about the meaning. Just preserve the meaning of the original sentence and you should be fine.

[rishabh26jain]

Thanks a lot.
Point taken about "people's".

[tim]

:)

[saurabhguptausa]

Hi Jamie,

In the linked provided for possessive usage. There is a sentence in the last that I am not clear off:

When you choose to disregard the rule, though, make sure your meaning is clear.

In this sentence, *Though* is used with when. Although it's marked with comma, is it grammatically correct to use *though* with *when*?

[tim]

Yes.