What's new

Question She carefully listened to him/his telling a story

hirashin

Sempai
Donor
8 Apr 2004
2,720
63
63
Dear native English speakers,
which one is used?
(1a) She carefully listened to him telling a story.
(1b) She carefully listened to his telling a story.
(2a) I can really understand him composing those kind of pieces.
(2b) I can really understand his composing those kind of pieces.
(3a) There is a strong possibility of him helping us.
(3b) There is a strong possibility of his helping us.
 
1a) Ok
1b) sounds odd. She carefully listened to his telling of the story. Is better but it sounds like the narrator in a historical movie, not modern.
2a) Ok but kind should be kinds.
2a) NG. Better would be I can really understand his composing of those kinds of pieces.
3a) Ok.
3b) Maybe ok. Not sure.

1a) is the only one that sounds like something you might hear in real life.
The natural way to say 2) and 3) would be something like
I can really understand why he would compose those kinds of pieces.
There is a strong possibility he will help us.
 
Back
Top Bottom