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What would replace the italicized grammatical error in the sentence below?
Even though Adam was a great roommate, Lionel hated his to sing in the shower.

Asked by Julie Walker, Last updated: Apr 13, 2024

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3 Answers

c.Dorothy

c.Dorothy

c.Dorothy
C.Dorothy

Answered Dec 08, 2017

To sing is an infinitive. Infinitives are used for five main reasons which are as the subject of the sentence, as a direct object, subject complement, an adjective or as an adverb. In this case, if the infinitive was being used accurately in the sentence, it would be a direct object. However, Lionel doesn’t hate his own singing, he hates Adam’s singing. This shouldn’t be an infinitive.

The part “his to sing” should be changed to “his singing” because it is grammatically correct and it modifies and describes Adam’s singing. Therefore, a gerund must be used. Using the gerund in the sentence after the verb with a possessive pronoun would be the correct way of expressing the idea of this sentence.

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John Adney

John Adney

John Adney
His singing
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John Smith

John Smith

John Smith
John Smith

Answered Oct 19, 2016

1. His singing

Gerund functioning as a noun, possessive modifies Lionel doesnt hate Adam (him), but his singing.

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