Gerunds Take the Possessive

Which sentence is correct?

1. Our withdrawal depends on Turkey pledging not to attack the Kurds.

2. Our withdrawal depends on Turkey’s pledging not to attack the Kurds.

#2 is correct, for a simple reason: Because gerunds (in this case, Turkey) take the possessive.

Similarly, which of these sentences is correct?

1. I appreciate you taking time to talk with me.

2. I appreciate your taking time to talk with me.

Again, #2 is correct, for a simple reason: Because gerunds (in this case, taking) take the possessive.

Addendum (2/13/25): Here are a few more examples from the Wall Street Journal:

1. It’s hard to argue with the numbers that point to consumers continuing to spend in the aggregate.

2. It’s hard to argue with the numbers that point to consumers’ continuing to spend in the aggregate.

Once again, #2 is correct: Gerunds (a verb form that functions as a noun, ending in “-ing”) call for possessives in a noun preceding them.

1. These strategies led to the company inflating Trump’s personal net worth on financial statements.

2. These strategies led to the company’s inflating Trump’s personal net worth on financial statements.

1. They celebrated Smith winning the election.

2. They celebrated Smith’s winning the election.

The bottom line: Use the possessive before a gerund.