[Grammar] Could you help me out.

[sky3120]

Hello, how are you? Could you help me again? I found this sentence, "I do not like people going to such a place." And I tried to analyze it. I realized that it can be understood in two ways.

1) I do not like people going(= who go) to such a place.

2) I do not like people = people's going to such a place.

So what I would like to know is if the original sentence can be understood in two ways, depending on contexts?

Sorry about taking your time and thank you as always.

 

[Tdol]

Context determines meaning, so wherever there are different possible meanings, it can affect that.

 

[sky3120]

Sorry for asking the question again but I fell into confusion because I met some teachers saying the sentence cannot be interpreted in the two ways and they are different in meaning. But I am still with you, so I would like to make sure that what you said was either one could be interpreted, depending on contexts? Did I get you right?

 

[Rover_KE]

I would only use the sentence to mean #2.

If I wanted it to mean #1 I would use 'who go'.

Tip for a better title: I don't like people....

Rover

 

[sky3120]

Yes, I agree with you and I will keep how to put a title in mind, but either interpretation would be possible even though there must be preferences? Don't you think so? Or any possibilities?

 

[5jj]

... but either interpretation would be possible even though there must be preferences? Don't you think so?

No, not really. I agree with Rover.