Grammatical Challenges: 

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.

• All assumptions are 

based on his getting 

well soon.

Improper

• I 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.

2
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.

3
Which vs. That

• “Which” is preceded by a comma.

• “That” is not preceded by a comma.

4
Which vs. That

Proper

• He 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.

Improper

• He 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.

5
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.

6
Use the singular form for 

organizations

Proper

• The Association is 

proud of its

accomplishments.

Improper

• The Association is 

proud of their

accomplishments.

7
Which is correct?

• The College hopes to 

achieve their 

fundraising goals.

• The College hopes to 

achieve its fundraising 

goals.

8
Lie vs. Lay

Proper

• In 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.

Improper

In the meeting, he lay out 

several alternatives.

Let’s go lay out in the sun 

and relax.

9
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.

10
Sank vs. Sunk

Proper

• The boat sank.

• The boat has sunk.

Improper

• The boat sunk.

11
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.

12
Hang vs. Hung

Proper

• Maria 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.

Improper

• Since John has been 

convicted of the crime, 

he will be hung.

• She hung herself.

13
Which is correct?

• Mary Surratt was 

convicted and 

subsequently hung.

• Mary Surratt was 

convicted and 

subsequently hanged.

14
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.

15
When in doubt...

• Be guided by how 

the phrase 

appears in related 

materials.

• Do a search in the 

New York Times

or Washington 

Post.

16
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)

17
Which is correct?

• I hope to receive 

separate 

accommodations 

regardless of financial 

considerations.

• I hope to recieve

separate 

accomodations

irregardless of financial 

considerations.

18
Happy Grammatical Sailing!