I don't like him wasting time
vs
I don't like his wasting time
what is the difference in meaning of these two sentences
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The first is used as a participle. In the second, the noun phrase is more usual as "I don't like his time-wasting."– Weather VaneCommented Feb 14, 2020 at 16:05
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@WeatherVane so are both correct? Could you please elaborate what does first sentence mean?– Ramteja GuthikondaCommented Feb 14, 2020 at 16:08
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In the first sentence, he is wasting time, and that is what you don't like: you don't like him [when he is] wasting time. Your second sentence is grammatical but not idiomatic. It could be said when "he is malnourished and wasting away, and I don't like those times when he is losing weight." But that isn't your intention, I am sure, to use it like "partying time" or "waiting time".– Weather VaneCommented Feb 14, 2020 at 16:12
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2Does this answer your question? When to use an object pronoun or a possessive adjective before a gerund. See also “their having a mind”, and doubtless others.– FumbleFingersCommented Feb 14, 2020 at 16:43
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1Note that in some contexts, the two are not exchangeable because they mean different things. For example: I don't like him singing while his throat is sore. And I don't like his singing; it's out of tune.– Ronald SoleCommented Feb 14, 2020 at 16:47
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