Even the strongest writing can be weakened by small errors. These frequently misused words and phrases slip in unnoticed, diminishing both credibility and impact.

• If you don’t mind my asking …

This one is a bit of an obscure and little-known grammar thing, and one of those rules where — when you use it correctly — people are probably going to think you’re doing it wrong when you’re one of the few who is doing it right.

But the proper way to say a phrase like this with a gerund — that’s a verb ending in -ing — is to use the possessive form of the adjective “my”, rather than saying “If you don’t mind me asking”. Think of it like this: the asking is an action that belongs to you. Another example? “Do you think my speaking at this event would be a good career move?” It’s a common misuse but not a commonly known rule so I’m chucking it in here as a “well isn’t that nifty”.

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