Apostrophe, Possessive, & Plural

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ACT English › Apostrophe, Possessive, & Plural

Questions 1 - 10
1

Which of the following choices makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

The emus's

The emus

NO CHANGE

The emu's

Explanation

This is a possessive formation question. Choice A (No Change) is correct—plural noun "emus" forms possessive by adding apostrophe after the s. The sentence discusses speed belonging to multiple emus ("the emus"), so we need plural possessive. Choice B (The emu's) is singular possessive, suggesting only one emu. Choice C (The emus) is plural but not possessive—doesn't show that speed belongs to the emus. Choice D (The emus's) incorrectly adds 's to a plural already ending in s. Pro tip: Plural ending in s → add apostrophe only.

2

Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

There hooves disturb

They're hooves disturb

Their hooves disturbing

NO CHANGE

Explanation

This is a homophone/possessive question testing their/there/they're. Choice A (NO CHANGE: Their hooves disturb) is correct—"Their" is the possessive form showing the hooves belong to the bison. "Their hooves" is the subject performing the action "disturb." Choice B (There hooves) uses the location/existential "there," which is grammatically incorrect in this possessive context. Choice C (They're hooves) uses the contraction for "they are," which would read "they are hooves disturb," creating nonsense. Choice D (Their hooves disturbing) creates a fragment by turning the verb into a participle. Pro tip: Their = possessive (belonging to them), There = location, They're = they are.

3

Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

dogs fur, were

NO CHANGE

dog's fur were

dogs fur were

Explanation

The correct answer is B. Two errors exist in the original: (1) a comma is incorrectly placed between the subject "dog's fur" and the verb "were," and (2) the apostrophe in "dog's" must be preserved to show possession. B correctly removes the comma while retaining the apostrophe. C removes the apostrophe, producing "dogs fur" — a plural noun used as an adjective without the possessive relationship the sentence requires. D removes the apostrophe and keeps the comma, compounding both errors. The subject of the verb "were" is "his clothes and his dog's fur" — a comma between subject and verb is never correct. Pro tip: Never place a comma between a subject and its verb. When you see "subject, verb," always treat it as an error unless an interruptive phrase is set off by commas on both sides.

4

Which of the following options makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

the wolves return

the wolf's return

NO CHANGE

the wolves' return

Explanation

The correct answer is D. The passage discusses the reintroduction of wolves (plural) to Yellowstone — the return belongs to the wolves as a group. When a plural noun ending in "s" is possessive, the apostrophe goes after the "s": "wolves' return." A ("the wolfs return") is wrong on two counts: "wolfs" is not a standard plural form, and there is no apostrophe to show possession. B ("the wolf's return") uses a singular possessive — only one wolf — which contradicts the plural context of the entire passage. C ("the wolves return") omits the apostrophe entirely, producing a sentence where "wolves" is a subject and "return" is a verb with no possessive relationship. Pro tip: For plural nouns ending in "s," the possessive apostrophe goes after the "s" (wolves'). For irregular plurals not ending in "s" (children, men), the apostrophe goes before the added "s" (children's, men's).

5

For the history project, students interviewed local veterans and compiled short biographies. Because the class worked in pairs, each interview produced two separate transcripts. The teacher asked everyone to submit the students’ final drafts by Friday so she could assemble the booklet over the weekend. Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

the students final drafts by Friday

the students's final drafts by Friday

NO CHANGE

the student's final drafts by Friday

Explanation

This question tests possessive apostrophes with plural nouns. The context mentions students (plural) working in pairs who own final drafts, requiring a possessive form. For plural nouns ending in 's,' add only an apostrophe after the 's' to show possession. Choice A correctly uses 'students'' to show that multiple students possess final drafts. Choice B incorrectly makes 'student' singular, choice C lacks the apostrophe entirely, and choice D uses the nonstandard form 'students's.' When you see plural possessive options, remember that regular plural nouns ending in 's' only need an apostrophe after the 's.'

6

I believe its the best option available.

its'

it

NO CHANGE

it's

Explanation

This question tests the difference between 'its' (possessive) and 'it's' (contraction). The context can be read as 'I believe it is the best option available,' requiring the contraction 'it's' meaning 'it is.' The sentence makes sense when expanded to 'it is the best option,' confirming we need the contraction. Choice A uses possessive 'its,' choice C incorrectly adds apostrophe to possessive, and choice D removes the word entirely. Remember: its (no apostrophe) shows possession; it's (with apostrophe) always means it is or it has.

7

Two clubs collaborated on a fundraiser, so both groups staffed the same booth and shared supplies. After counting donations, the treasurer recorded the clubs totals in a spreadsheet and emailed the results to both presidents. Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

the clubs's totals in a spreadsheet

the club's totals in a spreadsheet

NO CHANGE

the clubs' totals in a spreadsheet

Explanation

This question tests possessive apostrophes with plural nouns. The context mentions 'two clubs' (plural) that have totals, requiring a possessive form. For plural nouns ending in 's,' add only an apostrophe after the 's' to show possession. Choice C correctly uses 'clubs'' to show that multiple clubs possess totals. Choice A lacks the apostrophe entirely, choice B incorrectly makes 'club' singular, and choice D uses the nonstandard form 'clubs's.' When determining possessive forms for plural nouns ending in 's,' simply add an apostrophe after the existing 's.'

8

The team took great pride in its victory.

it

NO CHANGE

its'

it's

Explanation

This question tests the difference between 'its' (possessive) and 'it's' (contraction). The context shows the team owns its victory, requiring the possessive form without an apostrophe. 'Its' (no apostrophe) shows possession, while 'it's' (with apostrophe) always means 'it is' or 'it has.' Choice C incorrectly adds an apostrophe to the possessive 'its,' and choice D removes the word entirely. Remember: its (no apostrophe) shows possession; it's (with apostrophe) always means it is or it has.

9

Before the debate tournament, the coach reviewed the schedule with the team and pointed out the earliest round. She told them to arrive by 7:30 because their going to need time to set up the evidence files and practice introductions. Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

they're going to need time to set up

NO CHANGE

there going to need time to set up

their' going to need time to set up

Explanation

This question tests the distinction between possessive pronouns and contractions. The sentence needs a contraction meaning 'they are' going to need time. Choice B correctly uses 'they're,' which contracts 'they are.' The original choice A uses 'their,' which is possessive, choice C uses the incorrect 'there,' and choice D uses the nonexistent form 'their'.' When you see splits between 'their,' 'there,' and 'they're,' substitute the full phrase - 'they are' works here, confirming 'they're' is correct. Remember that 'they're' always means 'they are.'

10

At the farmers’ market, two bakers set up side by side and sold bread from similar-looking baskets. When a customer asked about ingredients, the manager pointed to the bakers labels on each loaf to avoid confusion. Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?

the bakers' labels on each loaf

the baker's labels on each loaf

NO CHANGE

the bakers labels on each loaf

Explanation

This question tests possessive apostrophes with plural nouns. The context mentions 'two bakers' (plural) who have labels on their loaves, requiring a possessive form. For plural nouns ending in 's,' add only an apostrophe after the 's' to show possession. Choice C correctly uses 'bakers'' to show that multiple bakers possess labels. Choice A lacks the apostrophe entirely, choice B incorrectly makes 'baker' singular, and choice D lacks the apostrophe. When dealing with possessive forms, first determine if the noun is singular or plural, then apply the correct apostrophe placement rule.

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