Points to Ponder Use the possessive form with a gerund Proper I really appreciate your helping with this initiative They would appreciate its being included on the program ID: 293234
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Slide1
Grammatical Challenges: Points to PonderSlide2
Use the possessive form with
a gerund.
Proper
I really appreciate
your helping with this initiative.They would appreciate its being included on the program.All assumptions are based on his getting well soon.
ImproperI really appreciate you helping with this initiative.They would appreciate it being included on the program.All assumptions are based on him getting well soon.
2Slide3
Which is correct?
It was a good business plan, and I did not mind him profiting from it.
It was a good business plan, and I did not mind his profiting from it.
3Slide4
Which vs. That
“Which” is preceded by a comma.“That” is not preceded by a comma.
4Slide5
Which vs. That
ProperHe maintains high standards
, which
are very helpful to him in meeting his goals.
He maintains standards that are very helpful to him in meeting his goals. ImproperHe maintains high standards, that are very helpful to him in meeting his goals.He maintains standards which are very helpful to him in meeting his goals.5Slide6
Which are correct?
She has attained the rank of full professor, which is a laudable achievement in today’s competitive academic environment.She has garnered publicity that will help the project.
She has attained the rank of full professor that is a laudable achievement in today’s competitive academic environment.
She has garnered publicity which will help the project.
6Slide7
Use the singular form for organizations
ProperThe Association is proud of
its
accomplishments.
ImproperThe Association is proud of their accomplishments.7Slide8
Which is correct?
The College hopes to achieve their fundraising goals.
The College hopes to achieve its fundraising goals.
8Slide9
Lie vs. Lay
ProperIn the meeting, he laid out several alternatives.
I will lay down my burden.
Let’s go lie out in the sun and relax.
He has laid down the gauntlet. ImproperIn the meeting, he lay out several alternatives.Let’s go lay out in the sun and relax.9Slide10
Which is correct?
I plan to lay down on the sand at the beach.
I plan to lie down on the sand at the beach.
10Slide11
Sank vs. Sunk
ProperThe boat sank.The boat has sunk.
Improper
The boat sunk.
11Slide12
Which is correct?
The ship on which I was riding sunk, but we were rescued.
The ship on which we were riding sank, but we were rescued.
12Slide13
Hang vs. Hung
ProperMaria hung up her coat.Sue hangs the wallpaper very well.
Since John has been convicted of the crime, he will be hanged.
She hanged herself.
ImproperSince John has been convicted of the crime, he will be hung.She hung herself.13Slide14
Which is correct?
Mary Surratt was convicted and subsequently hung.
Mary Surratt was convicted and subsequently hanged.
14Slide15
Authorities may disagree
Her strategy has proven to be very useful.
The group has
striven
to meet its goals.Her strategy has proved to be very useful.The group has strived to meet its goals.
15Slide16
When in doubt…
Be guided by how the phrase appears in related materials.
Do a search in the
New York Times
or Washington Post.16Slide17
Avoiding common pitfalls
“Accommodate” has two “m’s.”
The word “
irregardless
” does not exist!There is “a rat” in “separate.”Use “i” before “e,” except after “c” (e.g., receive)17Slide18
Which is correct?
I hope to receive separate accommodations regardless of financial considerations.
I hope to
recieve
separate accomodations irregardless of financial considerations.18Slide19
Happy Grammatical Sailing!