got in the way

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azz

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Jul 27, 2004
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a. Tom always got in my way getting what I wanted.
b. Tom always got in my way to get what I wanted.
c. Tom always got in the way getting what I wanted.
d. Tom always got in the way to get what I wanted.


Are the above sentences grammatically correct and do they mean the same? The sentences are mine.
The idea is that Tom (intentionally or unintentionally) created obstacles for me when I was trying to get what I wanted. It seems to me that in (d) Tom was getting in the way in order to get what I wanted. I think (b) has a similar meaning. Maybe it can have two meanings?
I like (a) the best.

Many thanks
 
a. Tom always got in the way of my getting what I wanted.
There's your sentence.

If this was a real-life scenario I'd say you considered Tom an enemy. That's because he repeatedly blocked you from getting what you wanted. It's quite possible that you were very upset with him.
 
Or:
Tom always got in the way of me trying to get what I wanted.
"Get(s) in the way" is a set phrase.
 
The idea is that Tom (intentionally or unintentionally) created obstacles for me when I was trying to get what I wanted. It seems to me that in (d) Tom was getting in the way in order to get what I wanted. I think (b) has a similar meaning. Maybe it can have two meanings?
I like (a) the best.
You'd probably want to make that clearer:

Tom always got in the way to help me get what I wanted.
 
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