'i insist on you staying' and 'i insist on your staying'
which one is correct? cos i often see that you can use both.
2007-11-12 15:13:27 · 7 answers · asked by kmpart 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
"I insist on your staying" is the correct answer.
The -ing verb is called a gerund (a verb ending in -ing that acts like a noun). When it is preceded by a noun or a pronoun, the noun or pronoun should be in the possessive case. Sometimes it doesn't have to be, but putting it in the possessive case makes the writing more clear and easier to understand quickly, because it indicates immediately that the action of the main verb in the sentence ("insist") is NOT directed at the pronoun or noun ("you"), but at the gerund ("staying"). That is, you don't insist on ME, you insist that I STAY.
Another example might help:
"I can understand his wanting to go."
If "his" weren't possessive, your readers would start to read the sentence like this:
"I can understand him...."
This explanation is copied (and expanded) from the website bartleby.com
2007-11-12 15:38:13 · answer #1 · answered by Brack 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I normally would say "I insist THAT you stay."
but i would go with YOU.
2007-11-12 23:24:46 · answer #2 · answered by Experto Credo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think both are acceptable, the second is more correct.
2007-11-12 23:18:02 · answer #3 · answered by Robert S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
both are correct.
the second one is more awkward.
it would sound less insolent if you just said "you should stay, i insist".
2007-11-12 23:22:57 · answer #4 · answered by tribalhysteria 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the second one I would use
2007-11-12 23:23:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
either of these phrases is correct when used to speak to someone that we respect, whereas if the person has worn out their welcome the only obvious response is "you got to go' (ha-ha) peace....
2007-11-12 23:35:27 · answer #6 · answered by yvonnejust4today 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
both makes sense to me
2007-11-12 23:19:20 · answer #7 · answered by KP 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋