Should the possessive case be used before a gerund?

Answer 1

Yes, but that rule is increasingly being flouted, probably because it is often difficult to identify gerunds from the present participle form of verbs. Here are some examples of the proper use of the possessive case before a gerund: I appreciate your taking the time to write back. I love to read accounts of the Founding Fathers' signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Bob's funniest story is the one about his falling into the pig trough. I've heard many stories about people's ignorance of geography, but Bill's failing to identify the United States on a map takes the cake. Problems arise when it's hard to be sure whether the -ing word is a gerund or a present participle, as in the following sentence:

The teacher became infuriated by the student's/students' chattering. If the teacher was infuriated by the students who were chattering -- and not the other students (who may have been sleeping, texting each other, or just not paying attention) -- then one could argue that chattering is a participle and the possessive case is unnecessary. If, however, the teacher was infuriated by the chattering, then the possessive case should be used, because chattering is acting as a gerund.