A question for grammar geeks

[jasc15]

I am writing an email to my boss requesting 2 vacation days.  One for my graduation and one for my sister's.

This sounds wrong:

I will be taking two vacation days for my and my sister's graduation ceremonies.

This sounds better:

I will be taking two vacation days for mine and my sister's graduation ceremonies.

However, I wouldn't say:

...mine graduation ceremony...

Generally, the rule I have seen is that each form of the subject pronoun should work on their own, thus:

...my ceremony...

and

...my sister's ceremony...

[Orbert]

"I will be taking two vacation days; one for my sister's graduation and one for my own."

Separate the events to clarify and also avoid the awkwardness of trying to match the possessives.  Drop the word "ceremonies" as it adds bulk and he'll know what you mean anyway.  And regardless of when they fall chronologically, ladies first, plus it allows for a bit of concision.

That's my suggestion.

[jasc15]

I decided to omit the explanation altogether, but it was a grammar problem that was bugging me.  I agree it is cleaner your way, but I was wondering if there was a correct way using the format I used.

[Implode]

I hate that problem too. Orbert is right except replace the semicolon with a dash. I try to avoid those situations as well.

[Orbert]

Crap, you're right.  The semicolon is wrong.  I had originally rephrased it differently, but never changed out the semicolon when I arrived at the final form.

[El Barto]

Generally, the rule I have seen is that each form of the subject pronoun should work on their own, thus:

This is correct and your ill-sounding approach was correct, although what you posted to us was far better.

Not sure why the semicolon is incorrect in Orbert's example, though. It was two related independent clauses. Since they could have formed two separate sentences, bringing them together that was is fine. Is it because the subject is implied rather than implicit?

[lordxizor]

I can't offer any grammatical advice, but I agree that you don't need to offer this information to your boss. It's none of his business why you want time off.

[Beowulf]

Exactly.  "I'm taking 2 days off.  Deal with it."

[Orbert]

Not sure why the semicolon is incorrect in Orbert's example, though. It was two related independent clauses. Since they could have formed two separate sentences, bringing them together that was is fine. Is it because the subject is implied rather than implicit?

My understanding is that the semicolon is used to join two clauses which could also stand on their own as fully form sentences.  For example: "Her breath was bad; it was like rotting garbage."

My original rewrite had that structure, but as it stands now, "one for my sister's graduation and one for my own" could not stand as an independent sentence.  It merely provides additional detail for the main sentence.  The rules are less clear on this, but I'm tempted to agree with Implode and use a dash, which actually has no single defined purpose.

[rumborak]

Or just send the email after you come back. "Was out for two days." That'll teach him.

Regarding the grammar question, that is actually one of the drawbacks of English's grammar simplicity. It tends to underspecify relationships between parts of the sentence, and once you have more than one subject, things get ambiguous. People always bitch about German's grammar, but these kinds of problems arise far less.

[El Barto]

Not sure why the semicolon is incorrect in Orbert's example, though. It was two related independent clauses. Since they could have formed two separate sentences, bringing them together that was is fine. Is it because the subject is implied rather than implicit?

My understanding is that the semicolon is used to join two clauses which could also stand on their own as fully form sentences.  For example: "Her breath was bad; it was like rotting garbage."

That's my understanding, as well. I'm just thinking that the verb (I mistakenly said subject earlier) is implied, which makes it a verbless clause and capable of standing on its own. It would be awkward, and thus best avoided, but I wouldn't worry too much about the semicolon.

[rumborak]

I'm a big proponent of the use of the semicolon. Perfect way of tying two related sentences to each other.

[Orbert]

I am as well, but people often use it improperly; they are dumb.  I'm annoyed that I'm now in that club.

[bosk1]

I; use semicolons; frequently.

;

[rumborak]

^^^ That's actually how you officially transcribe Shatner performances.