[Grammar] do you mind ME/MY doing something?

[JarekSteliga]

My dictionary instructs me to say: 'Will they mind us being late?'. Am I wrong to have a problem with this?
I would much rather say: 'Will they mind OUR being late?'
I could understand:
'Will they mind US?' (meaning: 'Will they mind our presence?'
or
'Will they mind being late?' (meaning:'Will they mind if they arrive late?')
however
'us' and 'being' in my opinion do not belong together.

 

[TheParser]

NOT A TEACHER


(1) This question always produces a lot of pleasant and courteous disagreements

among teachers.

(2) This is what some teachers say:

(a) Do you mind my marrying your daughter next month? = Is next month a good date

for us to get married? In other words, you are putting the emphasis on the "marrying."

(b) Do you mind me marrying your daughter? = Yes, I am poor now, but I will work hard

and make enough money to take care of your daughter. In other words, the emphasis

is on your acceptance of "me."

(3) As I said, some teachers say that it doesn't matter which one you choose. They

say that the context of the conversation will make clear exactly what the meaning is.

P.S. I love the "rule." I hope that you follow it, too.

 

[JarekSteliga]

NOT A TEACHER


(1) This question always produces a lot of pleasant and courteous disagreements

among teachers.

(2) This is what some teachers say:

(a) Do you mind my marrying your daughter next month? = Is next month a good date

for us to get married? In other words, you are putting the emphasis on the "marrying."

(b) Do you mind me marrying your daughter? = Yes, I am poor now, but I will work hard

and make enough money to take care of your daughter. In other words, the emphasis

is on your acceptance of "me."

(3) As I said, some teachers say that it doesn't matter which one you choose. They

say that the context of the conversation will make clear exactly what the meaning is.

P.S. I love the "rule." I hope that you follow it, too.

Many thanks for this comment.
Makes me realize how I overlooked the issues related to the 'distribution' of emphasis.
I am working my way through a pile of English language tests. I will reactivate this thread once I stumble upon a question revolving around the topic under discussion to show which side of 'pleasant and corteous disagreement' the author of this particular test subscribes to ;-)