Possessive with Gerunds Practice Test — Advanced

All 45 questions with answers

Pick an answer for each question to see if you are right, with the explanation. Submit when you are done; you can submit before answering them all.

1. Q1Identify the sentence that strictly adheres to academic style regarding nominalized action modifiers:

   AThe council questioned the board of directors's reallocating capital funds without preliminary approval. BThe council questioned the board of directors reallocating capital funds without preliminary approval. CThe council questioned the board of directors for reallocating capital funds without preliminary approval. DThe council questioned the board of directors's to reallocating capital funds without preliminary approval.

   Answer: A. The council questioned the board of directors's reallocating capital funds without preliminary approval.

   Academic register mandates the genitive case (the board of directors's) preceding a gerund phrase (reallocating capital funds).

2. Q2Which revision corrects the informal objective-case gerund flaw in formal prose?

   ASubscribers were dismayed by the principal investigator's publishing the trial results. BSubscribers were dismayed by the principal investigator publishing the trial results. CSubscribers were dismayed with the principal investigator about publishing the trial results. DSubscribers were dismayed at the principal investigator's for publishing the trial results.

   Answer: A. Subscribers were dismayed by the principal investigator's publishing the trial results.

   In formal prose, the subject of a gerund is expressed in the genitive case (the principal investigator's), not the objective case (the principal investigator).

3. Q3Select the grammatically impeccable sentence for scholarly publication:

   AFew colleagues anticipated the attorney general's intervening in the landmark lawsuit. BFew colleagues anticipated the attorney general intervening in the landmark lawsuit. CFew colleagues anticipated the attorney general in intervening in the landmark lawsuit. DFew colleagues anticipated the attorney general's to intervening in the landmark lawsuit.

   Answer: A. Few colleagues anticipated the attorney general's intervening in the landmark lawsuit.

   Scholarly grammar requires possessive noun phrases (the attorney general's) to premodify verbal noun gerunds (intervening in the landmark lawsuit).

4. Q4Identify the sentence that strictly adheres to academic style regarding nominalized action modifiers:

   AThe council questioned the chief executive officer's authorizing the merger without preliminary approval. BThe council questioned the chief executive officer authorizing the merger without preliminary approval. CThe council questioned the chief executive officer for authorizing the merger without preliminary approval. DThe council questioned the chief executive officer's to authorizing the merger without preliminary approval.

   Answer: A. The council questioned the chief executive officer's authorizing the merger without preliminary approval.

   Academic register mandates the genitive case (the chief executive officer's) preceding a gerund phrase (authorizing the merger).

5. Q5Which revision corrects the informal objective-case gerund flaw in formal prose?

   ASubscribers were dismayed by the lead auditor's uncovering financial discrepancies. BSubscribers were dismayed by the lead auditor uncovering financial discrepancies. CSubscribers were dismayed with the lead auditor about uncovering financial discrepancies. DSubscribers were dismayed at the lead auditor's for uncovering financial discrepancies.

   Answer: A. Subscribers were dismayed by the lead auditor's uncovering financial discrepancies.

   In formal prose, the subject of a gerund is expressed in the genitive case (the lead auditor's), not the objective case (the lead auditor).

6. Q6Select the grammatically impeccable sentence for scholarly publication:

   AFew colleagues anticipated the prime minister's dissolving Parliament prematurely. BFew colleagues anticipated the prime minister dissolving Parliament prematurely. CFew colleagues anticipated the prime minister in dissolving Parliament prematurely. DFew colleagues anticipated the prime minister's to dissolving Parliament prematurely.

   Answer: A. Few colleagues anticipated the prime minister's dissolving Parliament prematurely.

   Scholarly grammar requires possessive noun phrases (the prime minister's) to premodify verbal noun gerunds (dissolving Parliament prematurely).

7. Q7Identify the sentence that strictly adheres to academic style regarding nominalized action modifiers:

   AThe council questioned the managing partner's overruling the editorial board without preliminary approval. BThe council questioned the managing partner overruling the editorial board without preliminary approval. CThe council questioned the managing partner for overruling the editorial board without preliminary approval. DThe council questioned the managing partner's to overruling the editorial board without preliminary approval.

   Answer: A. The council questioned the managing partner's overruling the editorial board without preliminary approval.

   Academic register mandates the genitive case (the managing partner's) preceding a gerund phrase (overruling the editorial board).

8. Q8Which revision corrects the informal objective-case gerund flaw in formal prose?

   ASubscribers were dismayed by the senior analyst's forecasting market devaluation. BSubscribers were dismayed by the senior analyst forecasting market devaluation. CSubscribers were dismayed with the senior analyst about forecasting market devaluation. DSubscribers were dismayed at the senior analyst's for forecasting market devaluation.

   Answer: A. Subscribers were dismayed by the senior analyst's forecasting market devaluation.

   In formal prose, the subject of a gerund is expressed in the genitive case (the senior analyst's), not the objective case (the senior analyst).

9. Q9Select the grammatically impeccable sentence for scholarly publication:

   AFew colleagues anticipated the ambassador's negotiating the peace accord. BFew colleagues anticipated the ambassador negotiating the peace accord. CFew colleagues anticipated the ambassador in negotiating the peace accord. DFew colleagues anticipated the ambassador's to negotiating the peace accord.

   Answer: A. Few colleagues anticipated the ambassador's negotiating the peace accord.

   Scholarly grammar requires possessive noun phrases (the ambassador's) to premodify verbal noun gerunds (negotiating the peace accord).

10. Q10Identify the sentence that strictly adheres to academic style regarding nominalized action modifiers:

    AThe council questioned the chairperson's adjourning the annual symposium without preliminary approval. BThe council questioned the chairperson adjourning the annual symposium without preliminary approval. CThe council questioned the chairperson for adjourning the annual symposium without preliminary approval. DThe council questioned the chairperson's to adjourning the annual symposium without preliminary approval.

    Answer: A. The council questioned the chairperson's adjourning the annual symposium without preliminary approval.

    Academic register mandates the genitive case (the chairperson's) preceding a gerund phrase (adjourning the annual symposium).

11. Q11Which revision corrects the informal objective-case gerund flaw in formal prose?

    ASubscribers were dismayed by the lead architect's revising the structural blueprints. BSubscribers were dismayed by the lead architect revising the structural blueprints. CSubscribers were dismayed with the lead architect about revising the structural blueprints. DSubscribers were dismayed at the lead architect's for revising the structural blueprints.

    Answer: A. Subscribers were dismayed by the lead architect's revising the structural blueprints.

    In formal prose, the subject of a gerund is expressed in the genitive case (the lead architect's), not the objective case (the lead architect).

12. Q12Select the grammatically impeccable sentence for scholarly publication:

    AFew colleagues anticipated the surgeon general's issuing a nationwide health advisory. BFew colleagues anticipated the surgeon general issuing a nationwide health advisory. CFew colleagues anticipated the surgeon general in issuing a nationwide health advisory. DFew colleagues anticipated the surgeon general's to issuing a nationwide health advisory.

    Answer: A. Few colleagues anticipated the surgeon general's issuing a nationwide health advisory.

    Scholarly grammar requires possessive noun phrases (the surgeon general's) to premodify verbal noun gerunds (issuing a nationwide health advisory).

13. Q13Identify the sentence that strictly adheres to academic style regarding nominalized action modifiers:

    AThe council questioned the prosecutor's subpoenaing the classified documents without preliminary approval. BThe council questioned the prosecutor subpoenaing the classified documents without preliminary approval. CThe council questioned the prosecutor for subpoenaing the classified documents without preliminary approval. DThe council questioned the prosecutor's to subpoenaing the classified documents without preliminary approval.

    Answer: A. The council questioned the prosecutor's subpoenaing the classified documents without preliminary approval.

    Academic register mandates the genitive case (the prosecutor's) preceding a gerund phrase (subpoenaing the classified documents).

14. Q14Which revision corrects the informal objective-case gerund flaw in formal prose?

    ASubscribers were dismayed by the curator's authenticating the newly discovered manuscript. BSubscribers were dismayed by the curator authenticating the newly discovered manuscript. CSubscribers were dismayed with the curator about authenticating the newly discovered manuscript. DSubscribers were dismayed at the curator's for authenticating the newly discovered manuscript.

    Answer: A. Subscribers were dismayed by the curator's authenticating the newly discovered manuscript.

    In formal prose, the subject of a gerund is expressed in the genitive case (the curator's), not the objective case (the curator).

15. Q15Select the grammatically impeccable sentence for scholarly publication:

    AFew colleagues anticipated the dean's reinstating the honors curriculum. BFew colleagues anticipated the dean reinstating the honors curriculum. CFew colleagues anticipated the dean in reinstating the honors curriculum. DFew colleagues anticipated the dean's to reinstating the honors curriculum.

    Answer: A. Few colleagues anticipated the dean's reinstating the honors curriculum.

    Scholarly grammar requires possessive noun phrases (the dean's) to premodify verbal noun gerunds (reinstating the honors curriculum).

16. Q16Identify the sentence that strictly adheres to academic style regarding nominalized action modifiers:

    AThe council questioned the board of directors's reallocating capital funds without preliminary approval. BThe council questioned the board of directors reallocating capital funds without preliminary approval. CThe council questioned the board of directors for reallocating capital funds without preliminary approval. DThe council questioned the board of directors's to reallocating capital funds without preliminary approval.

    Answer: A. The council questioned the board of directors's reallocating capital funds without preliminary approval.

    Academic register mandates the genitive case (the board of directors's) preceding a gerund phrase (reallocating capital funds).

17. Q17Which revision corrects the informal objective-case gerund flaw in formal prose?

    ASubscribers were dismayed by the principal investigator's publishing the trial results. BSubscribers were dismayed by the principal investigator publishing the trial results. CSubscribers were dismayed with the principal investigator about publishing the trial results. DSubscribers were dismayed at the principal investigator's for publishing the trial results.

    Answer: A. Subscribers were dismayed by the principal investigator's publishing the trial results.

    In formal prose, the subject of a gerund is expressed in the genitive case (the principal investigator's), not the objective case (the principal investigator).

18. Q18Select the grammatically impeccable sentence for scholarly publication:

    AFew colleagues anticipated the attorney general's intervening in the landmark lawsuit. BFew colleagues anticipated the attorney general intervening in the landmark lawsuit. CFew colleagues anticipated the attorney general in intervening in the landmark lawsuit. DFew colleagues anticipated the attorney general's to intervening in the landmark lawsuit.

    Answer: A. Few colleagues anticipated the attorney general's intervening in the landmark lawsuit.

    Scholarly grammar requires possessive noun phrases (the attorney general's) to premodify verbal noun gerunds (intervening in the landmark lawsuit).

19. Q19Identify the sentence that strictly adheres to academic style regarding nominalized action modifiers:

    AThe council questioned the chief executive officer's authorizing the merger without preliminary approval. BThe council questioned the chief executive officer authorizing the merger without preliminary approval. CThe council questioned the chief executive officer for authorizing the merger without preliminary approval. DThe council questioned the chief executive officer's to authorizing the merger without preliminary approval.

    Answer: A. The council questioned the chief executive officer's authorizing the merger without preliminary approval.

    Academic register mandates the genitive case (the chief executive officer's) preceding a gerund phrase (authorizing the merger).

20. Q20Which revision corrects the informal objective-case gerund flaw in formal prose?

    ASubscribers were dismayed by the lead auditor's uncovering financial discrepancies. BSubscribers were dismayed by the lead auditor uncovering financial discrepancies. CSubscribers were dismayed with the lead auditor about uncovering financial discrepancies. DSubscribers were dismayed at the lead auditor's for uncovering financial discrepancies.

    Answer: A. Subscribers were dismayed by the lead auditor's uncovering financial discrepancies.

    In formal prose, the subject of a gerund is expressed in the genitive case (the lead auditor's), not the objective case (the lead auditor).

21. Q21Select the grammatically impeccable sentence for scholarly publication:

    AFew colleagues anticipated the prime minister's dissolving Parliament prematurely. BFew colleagues anticipated the prime minister dissolving Parliament prematurely. CFew colleagues anticipated the prime minister in dissolving Parliament prematurely. DFew colleagues anticipated the prime minister's to dissolving Parliament prematurely.

    Answer: A. Few colleagues anticipated the prime minister's dissolving Parliament prematurely.

    Scholarly grammar requires possessive noun phrases (the prime minister's) to premodify verbal noun gerunds (dissolving Parliament prematurely).

22. Q22Identify the sentence that strictly adheres to academic style regarding nominalized action modifiers:

    AThe council questioned the managing partner's overruling the editorial board without preliminary approval. BThe council questioned the managing partner overruling the editorial board without preliminary approval. CThe council questioned the managing partner for overruling the editorial board without preliminary approval. DThe council questioned the managing partner's to overruling the editorial board without preliminary approval.

    Answer: A. The council questioned the managing partner's overruling the editorial board without preliminary approval.

    Academic register mandates the genitive case (the managing partner's) preceding a gerund phrase (overruling the editorial board).

23. Q23Which revision corrects the informal objective-case gerund flaw in formal prose?

    ASubscribers were dismayed by the senior analyst's forecasting market devaluation. BSubscribers were dismayed by the senior analyst forecasting market devaluation. CSubscribers were dismayed with the senior analyst about forecasting market devaluation. DSubscribers were dismayed at the senior analyst's for forecasting market devaluation.

    Answer: A. Subscribers were dismayed by the senior analyst's forecasting market devaluation.

    In formal prose, the subject of a gerund is expressed in the genitive case (the senior analyst's), not the objective case (the senior analyst).

24. Q24Select the grammatically impeccable sentence for scholarly publication:

    AFew colleagues anticipated the ambassador's negotiating the peace accord. BFew colleagues anticipated the ambassador negotiating the peace accord. CFew colleagues anticipated the ambassador in negotiating the peace accord. DFew colleagues anticipated the ambassador's to negotiating the peace accord.

    Answer: A. Few colleagues anticipated the ambassador's negotiating the peace accord.

    Scholarly grammar requires possessive noun phrases (the ambassador's) to premodify verbal noun gerunds (negotiating the peace accord).

25. Q25Identify the sentence that strictly adheres to academic style regarding nominalized action modifiers:

    AThe council questioned the chairperson's adjourning the annual symposium without preliminary approval. BThe council questioned the chairperson adjourning the annual symposium without preliminary approval. CThe council questioned the chairperson for adjourning the annual symposium without preliminary approval. DThe council questioned the chairperson's to adjourning the annual symposium without preliminary approval.

    Answer: A. The council questioned the chairperson's adjourning the annual symposium without preliminary approval.

    Academic register mandates the genitive case (the chairperson's) preceding a gerund phrase (adjourning the annual symposium).

26. Q26Which revision corrects the informal objective-case gerund flaw in formal prose?

    ASubscribers were dismayed by the lead architect's revising the structural blueprints. BSubscribers were dismayed by the lead architect revising the structural blueprints. CSubscribers were dismayed with the lead architect about revising the structural blueprints. DSubscribers were dismayed at the lead architect's for revising the structural blueprints.

    Answer: A. Subscribers were dismayed by the lead architect's revising the structural blueprints.

    In formal prose, the subject of a gerund is expressed in the genitive case (the lead architect's), not the objective case (the lead architect).

27. Q27Select the grammatically impeccable sentence for scholarly publication:

    AFew colleagues anticipated the surgeon general's issuing a nationwide health advisory. BFew colleagues anticipated the surgeon general issuing a nationwide health advisory. CFew colleagues anticipated the surgeon general in issuing a nationwide health advisory. DFew colleagues anticipated the surgeon general's to issuing a nationwide health advisory.

    Answer: A. Few colleagues anticipated the surgeon general's issuing a nationwide health advisory.

    Scholarly grammar requires possessive noun phrases (the surgeon general's) to premodify verbal noun gerunds (issuing a nationwide health advisory).

28. Q28Identify the sentence that strictly adheres to academic style regarding nominalized action modifiers:

    AThe council questioned the prosecutor's subpoenaing the classified documents without preliminary approval. BThe council questioned the prosecutor subpoenaing the classified documents without preliminary approval. CThe council questioned the prosecutor for subpoenaing the classified documents without preliminary approval. DThe council questioned the prosecutor's to subpoenaing the classified documents without preliminary approval.

    Answer: A. The council questioned the prosecutor's subpoenaing the classified documents without preliminary approval.

    Academic register mandates the genitive case (the prosecutor's) preceding a gerund phrase (subpoenaing the classified documents).

29. Q29Which revision corrects the informal objective-case gerund flaw in formal prose?

    ASubscribers were dismayed by the curator's authenticating the newly discovered manuscript. BSubscribers were dismayed by the curator authenticating the newly discovered manuscript. CSubscribers were dismayed with the curator about authenticating the newly discovered manuscript. DSubscribers were dismayed at the curator's for authenticating the newly discovered manuscript.

    Answer: A. Subscribers were dismayed by the curator's authenticating the newly discovered manuscript.

    In formal prose, the subject of a gerund is expressed in the genitive case (the curator's), not the objective case (the curator).

30. Q30Select the grammatically impeccable sentence for scholarly publication:

    AFew colleagues anticipated the dean's reinstating the honors curriculum. BFew colleagues anticipated the dean reinstating the honors curriculum. CFew colleagues anticipated the dean in reinstating the honors curriculum. DFew colleagues anticipated the dean's to reinstating the honors curriculum.

    Answer: A. Few colleagues anticipated the dean's reinstating the honors curriculum.

    Scholarly grammar requires possessive noun phrases (the dean's) to premodify verbal noun gerunds (reinstating the honors curriculum).

31. Q31Identify the sentence that strictly adheres to academic style regarding nominalized action modifiers:

    AThe council questioned the board of directors's reallocating capital funds without preliminary approval. BThe council questioned the board of directors reallocating capital funds without preliminary approval. CThe council questioned the board of directors for reallocating capital funds without preliminary approval. DThe council questioned the board of directors's to reallocating capital funds without preliminary approval.

    Answer: A. The council questioned the board of directors's reallocating capital funds without preliminary approval.

    Academic register mandates the genitive case (the board of directors's) preceding a gerund phrase (reallocating capital funds).

32. Q32Which revision corrects the informal objective-case gerund flaw in formal prose?

    ASubscribers were dismayed by the principal investigator's publishing the trial results. BSubscribers were dismayed by the principal investigator publishing the trial results. CSubscribers were dismayed with the principal investigator about publishing the trial results. DSubscribers were dismayed at the principal investigator's for publishing the trial results.

    Answer: A. Subscribers were dismayed by the principal investigator's publishing the trial results.

    In formal prose, the subject of a gerund is expressed in the genitive case (the principal investigator's), not the objective case (the principal investigator).

33. Q33Select the grammatically impeccable sentence for scholarly publication:

    AFew colleagues anticipated the attorney general's intervening in the landmark lawsuit. BFew colleagues anticipated the attorney general intervening in the landmark lawsuit. CFew colleagues anticipated the attorney general in intervening in the landmark lawsuit. DFew colleagues anticipated the attorney general's to intervening in the landmark lawsuit.

    Answer: A. Few colleagues anticipated the attorney general's intervening in the landmark lawsuit.

    Scholarly grammar requires possessive noun phrases (the attorney general's) to premodify verbal noun gerunds (intervening in the landmark lawsuit).

34. Q34Identify the sentence that strictly adheres to academic style regarding nominalized action modifiers:

    AThe council questioned the chief executive officer's authorizing the merger without preliminary approval. BThe council questioned the chief executive officer authorizing the merger without preliminary approval. CThe council questioned the chief executive officer for authorizing the merger without preliminary approval. DThe council questioned the chief executive officer's to authorizing the merger without preliminary approval.

    Answer: A. The council questioned the chief executive officer's authorizing the merger without preliminary approval.

    Academic register mandates the genitive case (the chief executive officer's) preceding a gerund phrase (authorizing the merger).

35. Q35Which revision corrects the informal objective-case gerund flaw in formal prose?

    ASubscribers were dismayed by the lead auditor's uncovering financial discrepancies. BSubscribers were dismayed by the lead auditor uncovering financial discrepancies. CSubscribers were dismayed with the lead auditor about uncovering financial discrepancies. DSubscribers were dismayed at the lead auditor's for uncovering financial discrepancies.

    Answer: A. Subscribers were dismayed by the lead auditor's uncovering financial discrepancies.

    In formal prose, the subject of a gerund is expressed in the genitive case (the lead auditor's), not the objective case (the lead auditor).

36. Q36Select the grammatically impeccable sentence for scholarly publication:

    AFew colleagues anticipated the prime minister's dissolving Parliament prematurely. BFew colleagues anticipated the prime minister dissolving Parliament prematurely. CFew colleagues anticipated the prime minister in dissolving Parliament prematurely. DFew colleagues anticipated the prime minister's to dissolving Parliament prematurely.

    Answer: A. Few colleagues anticipated the prime minister's dissolving Parliament prematurely.

    Scholarly grammar requires possessive noun phrases (the prime minister's) to premodify verbal noun gerunds (dissolving Parliament prematurely).

37. Q37Identify the sentence that strictly adheres to academic style regarding nominalized action modifiers:

    AThe council questioned the managing partner's overruling the editorial board without preliminary approval. BThe council questioned the managing partner overruling the editorial board without preliminary approval. CThe council questioned the managing partner for overruling the editorial board without preliminary approval. DThe council questioned the managing partner's to overruling the editorial board without preliminary approval.

    Answer: A. The council questioned the managing partner's overruling the editorial board without preliminary approval.

    Academic register mandates the genitive case (the managing partner's) preceding a gerund phrase (overruling the editorial board).

38. Q38Which revision corrects the informal objective-case gerund flaw in formal prose?

    ASubscribers were dismayed by the senior analyst's forecasting market devaluation. BSubscribers were dismayed by the senior analyst forecasting market devaluation. CSubscribers were dismayed with the senior analyst about forecasting market devaluation. DSubscribers were dismayed at the senior analyst's for forecasting market devaluation.

    Answer: A. Subscribers were dismayed by the senior analyst's forecasting market devaluation.

    In formal prose, the subject of a gerund is expressed in the genitive case (the senior analyst's), not the objective case (the senior analyst).

39. Q39Select the grammatically impeccable sentence for scholarly publication:

    AFew colleagues anticipated the ambassador's negotiating the peace accord. BFew colleagues anticipated the ambassador negotiating the peace accord. CFew colleagues anticipated the ambassador in negotiating the peace accord. DFew colleagues anticipated the ambassador's to negotiating the peace accord.

    Answer: A. Few colleagues anticipated the ambassador's negotiating the peace accord.

    Scholarly grammar requires possessive noun phrases (the ambassador's) to premodify verbal noun gerunds (negotiating the peace accord).

40. Q40Identify the sentence that strictly adheres to academic style regarding nominalized action modifiers:

    AThe council questioned the chairperson's adjourning the annual symposium without preliminary approval. BThe council questioned the chairperson adjourning the annual symposium without preliminary approval. CThe council questioned the chairperson for adjourning the annual symposium without preliminary approval. DThe council questioned the chairperson's to adjourning the annual symposium without preliminary approval.

    Answer: A. The council questioned the chairperson's adjourning the annual symposium without preliminary approval.

    Academic register mandates the genitive case (the chairperson's) preceding a gerund phrase (adjourning the annual symposium).

41. Q41Which revision corrects the informal objective-case gerund flaw in formal prose?

    ASubscribers were dismayed by the lead architect's revising the structural blueprints. BSubscribers were dismayed by the lead architect revising the structural blueprints. CSubscribers were dismayed with the lead architect about revising the structural blueprints. DSubscribers were dismayed at the lead architect's for revising the structural blueprints.

    Answer: A. Subscribers were dismayed by the lead architect's revising the structural blueprints.

    In formal prose, the subject of a gerund is expressed in the genitive case (the lead architect's), not the objective case (the lead architect).

42. Q42Select the grammatically impeccable sentence for scholarly publication:

    AFew colleagues anticipated the surgeon general's issuing a nationwide health advisory. BFew colleagues anticipated the surgeon general issuing a nationwide health advisory. CFew colleagues anticipated the surgeon general in issuing a nationwide health advisory. DFew colleagues anticipated the surgeon general's to issuing a nationwide health advisory.

    Answer: A. Few colleagues anticipated the surgeon general's issuing a nationwide health advisory.

    Scholarly grammar requires possessive noun phrases (the surgeon general's) to premodify verbal noun gerunds (issuing a nationwide health advisory).

43. Q43Identify the sentence that strictly adheres to academic style regarding nominalized action modifiers:

    AThe council questioned the prosecutor's subpoenaing the classified documents without preliminary approval. BThe council questioned the prosecutor subpoenaing the classified documents without preliminary approval. CThe council questioned the prosecutor for subpoenaing the classified documents without preliminary approval. DThe council questioned the prosecutor's to subpoenaing the classified documents without preliminary approval.

    Answer: A. The council questioned the prosecutor's subpoenaing the classified documents without preliminary approval.

    Academic register mandates the genitive case (the prosecutor's) preceding a gerund phrase (subpoenaing the classified documents).

44. Q44Which revision corrects the informal objective-case gerund flaw in formal prose?

    ASubscribers were dismayed by the curator's authenticating the newly discovered manuscript. BSubscribers were dismayed by the curator authenticating the newly discovered manuscript. CSubscribers were dismayed with the curator about authenticating the newly discovered manuscript. DSubscribers were dismayed at the curator's for authenticating the newly discovered manuscript.

    Answer: A. Subscribers were dismayed by the curator's authenticating the newly discovered manuscript.

    In formal prose, the subject of a gerund is expressed in the genitive case (the curator's), not the objective case (the curator).

45. Q45Select the grammatically impeccable sentence for scholarly publication:

    AFew colleagues anticipated the dean's reinstating the honors curriculum. BFew colleagues anticipated the dean reinstating the honors curriculum. CFew colleagues anticipated the dean in reinstating the honors curriculum. DFew colleagues anticipated the dean's to reinstating the honors curriculum.

    Answer: A. Few colleagues anticipated the dean's reinstating the honors curriculum.

    Scholarly grammar requires possessive noun phrases (the dean's) to premodify verbal noun gerunds (reinstating the honors curriculum).