Right. We left home before breakfast and arrived at our destination in time for dinner.

Revise. He is thirty-six, being born in 1887.

378. Put the noun into an of phrase, not into the possessive case, when the noun is the object of the verbal idea in a verbal noun in -ing.

Wrong. Lincoln’s shooting is one of the most tragic events in American history.

Right. The shooting of Lincoln is one of the most tragic events in American history.

Revise. One-eyed Pete’s converting firmly established the new minister in the eyes of the whole community.

379. Use an of phrase after the abstract verbal noun in -ing.

Wrong. The legislators viewed protection only as a policy for the fostering industry.

Right. The legislators viewed protection only as a policy for the fostering of industry.

Revise. The giving examinations is overdone here.