Correcting Apostrophe Errors

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GMAT Verbal › Correcting Apostrophe Errors

Questions 1 - 10
1

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Clevelands main attractions include the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and a Botanical Garden.

Cleveland's main attractions include the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a Botanical Garden.

Cleveland's main attractions include the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and a Botanical Garden.

Clevelands main attractions include: the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and a Botanical Garden.

Cleveland's main attractions include: the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and a Botanical Garden.

Cleveland's main attraction's include the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a Botanical Garden.

Explanation

Cleveland is a possessor (of "main attractions") in this sentence, and therefore the added possessive "s" should include an apostrophe as well: "Cleveland's." Since there are only two items in the list ("the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a Botanical Garden"), no comma is necessary to separate the two.

2

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Magaret took her horses' out of the stable so that they could walk around.

Magaret took her horses out of the stable

Magaret took her horses' out of the stable

Magaret took her horse's out of the stable

Magaret took her horse' out of the stable

Magaret took her's horses out of the stable

Explanation

This sentence misuses an apostrophe. Even thought the word "her" is possessive, that does not make "horses" possessive. The apostrophe should be omitted for this reason. Note that you should never pluralize a word with an apostrophe. The correct choice is, "Magaret took her horses out of the stable."

3

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

The critic replied, "I read your article "Critical Reasoning for the Unreasonable" and found it gimmicky."

'Critical Reasoning for the Unreasonable'

"Critical reasoning for the unreasonable"

"Critical Reasoning for the Unnreasonable"

"critical reasoning for the unnreasonable"

'critical reasoning for the unnreasonable'

Explanation

Quotation marks within quotation marks is mechanically incorrect. When referring to the title of an article, it is correct to place the title within quotation marks; however, when those quotation marks are within quotations, one should replace the quotation marks with apostrophes. The correct answer uses single quotation marks, the rest of the sentence is correct as written.

4

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

The company gave its' employees particularly big bonuses this year.

gave its employees particularly big bonuses this year.

gave its' employees particularly big bonuses this year.

gave its employees particularly, big bonuses this year.

gave it's employees particularly, big bonuses this year.

gave it's employees particularly big bonuses this year.

Explanation

This sentence misuses the word "its'." In fact, "its' " is not a word at all. What is necessary in this spot is the possessive form of "it," which is "its (no apostrophe)." No other changes are necessary. The correct choice is, "gave its employees particularly big bonuses this year."

5

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Many people invest in stock's in order to grow their assets.

people invest in stocks

people invest in stock's

people invest in stocks'

people invest in stocks,

people invest in, stocks

Explanation

This sentence misuses an apostrophe. Apostrophes should never be used to pluralize a noun. The correct plural of "stock" is "stocks." The correct answer choice is, "people invest in stocks."

6

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Though Elsa visited all of the company's nearby, she was unable to interest them in her product.

the companies nearby, she was unable to interest them

the company's nearby, she was unable to interest them

the company's nearby, she was unable to interest it

the companies nearby, she was unable to interest it

the companys nearby, she was unable to interest them

Explanation

This sentence misuses an apostrophe. It is clear from the context that the word "company" should be plural; however, you should never use an " 's" in order to pluralize a word. The correct plural form of "company" is "companies." The correct choice is, "the companies nearby, she was unable to interest them."

7

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

He always tried to encourage his' students to try as many different things as possible.

He always tried to encourage his students to try

He always tried to encourage his' students to try

He always tried to encourage hi's students to try

He always tried to encourage his students' to try

He always tried to encourage his student's to try

Explanation

This sentence misuses an apostrophe. The word "his" is already possessive and does not need an apostrophe. This mark should be omitted altogether from the sentence. The correct choice is, "He always tried to encourage his students to try"

8

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Thankfully, the companies Human Resources department did not have to deal with many issues during the year.

Thankfully, the company's Human Resources department did not

Thankfully, the companies Human Resources department did not

Thankfully, the companie's Human Resources department did not

Thankfully, the companies' Human Resources department did not

Thankfully, the companys' Human Resources department did not

Explanation

This sentence does not contain an apostrophe where one is necessary. The word "companies" is supposed to be possessive, but this is not the plural form. The necessary form is "company's." The correct choice is, "Thankfully, the company's Human Resources department did not."

9

The mens' daughter's are creating a revenue projection flow chart for the fourth quarter.

Which option best replaces the underline portion of the sentence?

The men's daughters are creating

The mens' daughters are creating

The mens daughter's are creating

The mens' daughter's are creating

The men's daughters' are creating

Explanation

The correct possessive form of men (a plural word) is "men's." There should be no apostrophe used in the word "daughters," as they do not possess anything in this sentence.

10

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Many people accused the company of trying to form a monopoly because it was acquiring many of it's competitors very quickly.

a monopoly because it was acquiring many of its competitors very quickly.

a monopoly because it was acquiring many of it's competitors very quickly.

a monopoly because they was acquiring many of its competitors very quickly.

a monopoly because they was acquiring many of it's competitors very quickly.

a monopoly because it was acquiring many of its' competitors very quickly.

Explanation

This sentence contains an apostrophe usage error. The word "it's" is a contraction for "it is," while it is being used as a possessive pronoun in this sentence. The correct form is "its," making the correct choice "a monopoly because it was acquiring many of its competitors very quickly."

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