Identifying Apostrophe Errors - SAT Writing
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The boy's teacher had forgotten to correct their homework; she had spent the entire night planning the new geography lesson. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The boy's teacher had forgotten to correct their homework; she had spent the entire night planning the new geography lesson. No error
Be watchful of possessive plural nouns: here, the correct apostrophe will be at the end of the word: "boys'" is correct because the subject is plural.
Be watchful of possessive plural nouns: here, the correct apostrophe will be at the end of the word: "boys'" is correct because the subject is plural.
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The team leaders began the process of reforming the organizations structure as soon as the report was issued.
The team leaders began the process of reforming the organizations structure as soon as the report was issued.
The underlined phrase in the sentence has a problem with the word "organizations." The construction of the sentence indicates it needs to be the possesive form, describing the "structure" of the "organization." The correct answer choice is "reforming the organization's structure."
The underlined phrase in the sentence has a problem with the word "organizations." The construction of the sentence indicates it needs to be the possesive form, describing the "structure" of the "organization." The correct answer choice is "reforming the organization's structure."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Alyssa collected hundreds of childrens' hats, scarves, gloves, and coats for the local shelter's winter clothing drive. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Alyssa collected hundreds of childrens' hats, scarves, gloves, and coats for the local shelter's winter clothing drive. No error
The correct possessive form for "children" is "children's," not "childrens." "Children" is a noun that changes form in plural, from "child" to "children" instead of "childs." In irregular plural nouns that do not end in "s," you need to add an apostrophe followed by an "s" to form the possessive form of the word. For plural nouns ending in "s" such as "girls," you need to add the apostrophe at the end, but not an "s." For example, the possessive of "girls" is "girls'."
The correct possessive form for "children" is "children's," not "childrens." "Children" is a noun that changes form in plural, from "child" to "children" instead of "childs." In irregular plural nouns that do not end in "s," you need to add an apostrophe followed by an "s" to form the possessive form of the word. For plural nouns ending in "s" such as "girls," you need to add the apostrophe at the end, but not an "s." For example, the possessive of "girls" is "girls'."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
All of the teachers were surprised by the childrens' dedication to their dance class routines, and were sure they would all do well on their final performances. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
All of the teachers were surprised by the childrens' dedication to their dance class routines, and were sure they would all do well on their final performances. No error
The error in this sentence is that the possessive form of the irregular plural noun "children" is incorrect—it is "children's" rather than "childrens'."
The error in this sentence is that the possessive form of the irregular plural noun "children" is incorrect—it is "children's" rather than "childrens'."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Early last night, my family and I visited the Jones's at their brand-new home. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Early last night, my family and I visited the Jones's at their brand-new home. No error
"Early" correctly modifies "last night." "My family and I" is the subject of the sentence and therefore illustrates the correct usage of "I" as opposed to "me." "Brand-new" is appropriately connected by a hyphen, as the two words are functioning together as an adjective modifying "home." The sentence's error is found in the word "Jones's," which has an unnecessary apostrophe. "Jones" is not a possessive noun in this case, so there should be no apostrophe; the sentence could be corrected by changing "Jones's" to "Joneses."
"Early" correctly modifies "last night." "My family and I" is the subject of the sentence and therefore illustrates the correct usage of "I" as opposed to "me." "Brand-new" is appropriately connected by a hyphen, as the two words are functioning together as an adjective modifying "home." The sentence's error is found in the word "Jones's," which has an unnecessary apostrophe. "Jones" is not a possessive noun in this case, so there should be no apostrophe; the sentence could be corrected by changing "Jones's" to "Joneses."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The girl's swim coach was always at least 30 minutes early for practice; they could always count on her to be ready as soon as they walked in. No error.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The girl's swim coach was always at least 30 minutes early for practice; they could always count on her to be ready as soon as they walked in. No error.
The sentence indicates that there is more than one girl on the team by using the word "they;" therefore, "the girl's" needs to be changed to "the girls'" in order to reflect the correct possessive plural form.
The sentence indicates that there is more than one girl on the team by using the word "they;" therefore, "the girl's" needs to be changed to "the girls'" in order to reflect the correct possessive plural form.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The teachers made it a point every day to address the childrens' behavior appropriately; they gave rewards to the students who followed expectations and demerits to those who did not. No error.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The teachers made it a point every day to address the childrens' behavior appropriately; they gave rewards to the students who followed expectations and demerits to those who did not. No error.
The correct possessive form for "children" is always "children's" and never "childrens'."
The correct possessive form for "children" is always "children's" and never "childrens'."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
More often than not, we could expect to find Larry with the Davis's family in their new swimming pool. No error.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
More often than not, we could expect to find Larry with the Davis's family in their new swimming pool. No error.
The above sentence's error is "the Davis's," as "Davis" is not a possessive noun in this case and therefore does not need an apostrophe.
The above sentence's error is "the Davis's," as "Davis" is not a possessive noun in this case and therefore does not need an apostrophe.
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Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
Scientists have been tracking the Canadian geeses’ migratory patterns for the better part of thirty years, and they have begun to notice some unusual habits. No error.
Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
Scientists have been tracking the Canadian geeses’ migratory patterns for the better part of thirty years, and they have begun to notice some unusual habits. No error.
The plural of goose is “geese,” not “geeses,” so the correct possessive form would be “geese’s.” "The better part of" is a commonly used phrase, and "have been tracking" and "have begun" are both the correct forms of the present perfect.
The plural of goose is “geese,” not “geeses,” so the correct possessive form would be “geese’s.” "The better part of" is a commonly used phrase, and "have been tracking" and "have begun" are both the correct forms of the present perfect.
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Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
Everyone at the hospital was complaining bitterly about the new overtime policy; the nurse’s station in particular was a hotbed of dissent. No error.
Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
Everyone at the hospital was complaining bitterly about the new overtime policy; the nurse’s station in particular was a hotbed of dissent. No error.
Because multiple nurses work at the hospital, we need a plural possessive: “nurses’ station” is the correct form. Elsewhere in the sentence, “about” is the correct preposition to use with “complaining,” “dissent” is a word that means strong disagreement, and the semicolon is used correctly to separate two independent clauses.
Because multiple nurses work at the hospital, we need a plural possessive: “nurses’ station” is the correct form. Elsewhere in the sentence, “about” is the correct preposition to use with “complaining,” “dissent” is a word that means strong disagreement, and the semicolon is used correctly to separate two independent clauses.
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Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
The fervency of the congregation’s prayers was felt by everyone at the service as Our Father’s rang out left and right. No error.
Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
The fervency of the congregation’s prayers was felt by everyone at the service as Our Father’s rang out left and right. No error.
The correct plural of “Our Father” is “Our Fathers.” No apostrophe is used to form the plural. Because there’s only one congregation at the service, “congregation’s” is the correct possessive.
The correct plural of “Our Father” is “Our Fathers.” No apostrophe is used to form the plural. Because there’s only one congregation at the service, “congregation’s” is the correct possessive.
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Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
Journalists and animal enthusiasts alike flocked to the wolf's enclosure to gawk at the pack’s newest litter. No error.
Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
Journalists and animal enthusiasts alike flocked to the wolf's enclosure to gawk at the pack’s newest litter. No error.
Because there’s an entire pack of wolves (and some new pups!), the singular possessive “wolf’s enclosure” should actually be “wolves’ enclosure.” “Pack’s” has the correct apostrophe form.
Because there’s an entire pack of wolves (and some new pups!), the singular possessive “wolf’s enclosure” should actually be “wolves’ enclosure.” “Pack’s” has the correct apostrophe form.
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Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
With Phil being so new and inexperienced at the bakery job, the supervisor was constantly forced to check on things like the pastries’ consistency and the loafs’ quality. No error.
Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
With Phil being so new and inexperienced at the bakery job, the supervisor was constantly forced to check on things like the pastries’ consistency and the loafs’ quality. No error.
The correct plural of loaf is loaves, not loafs, so the possessive should be loaves’, not loafs’.
The correct plural of loaf is loaves, not loafs, so the possessive should be loaves’, not loafs’.
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Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
I was always reluctant to go over to the Hudson’s house; they never cleaned, and the place usually smelled like old food and unwashed laundry. No error.
Select the underlined word or words that need to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences may not contain an error.
I was always reluctant to go over to the Hudson’s house; they never cleaned, and the place usually smelled like old food and unwashed laundry. No error.
Because the house belongs to all the Hudsons, the plural possessive is needed. To form the plural possessive, we put the apostrophe after the “s” and make the correct form: “Hudsons’ house.” The semicolon is used correctly here, as it separates two independent clauses. The comma is also used correctly, as it separates two independent clauses that are linked by the conjunction “and.”
Because the house belongs to all the Hudsons, the plural possessive is needed. To form the plural possessive, we put the apostrophe after the “s” and make the correct form: “Hudsons’ house.” The semicolon is used correctly here, as it separates two independent clauses. The comma is also used correctly, as it separates two independent clauses that are linked by the conjunction “and.”
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Four different travel groups's bags were taken from the airport on the same day. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Four different travel groups's bags were taken from the airport on the same day. No error
Use an apostrophe to indicate possession. If the noun ends in "s" then the apostrophe should follow the "s." If the noun does not end in "s" then add an "s" after the apostrophe. The sentence above makes the error of adding an additional "s" after the apostrophe for a noun that ends in "s."
Use an apostrophe to indicate possession. If the noun ends in "s" then the apostrophe should follow the "s." If the noun does not end in "s" then add an "s" after the apostrophe. The sentence above makes the error of adding an additional "s" after the apostrophe for a noun that ends in "s."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
A single piece of evidence swayed the final jurors' opinion. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
A single piece of evidence swayed the final jurors' opinion. No error
Use an apostrophe to indicate possession. If the noun ends in "s" then the apostrophe should follow the "s." If the noun does not end in "s" then add an "s" after the apostrophe. The sentence above should have the "jurors'" changed to "juror's." While "jurors" is often a plural noun (there are twelve members of a standard U.S jury), in this case "the final juror" is one person, and thus a singular noun.
Use an apostrophe to indicate possession. If the noun ends in "s" then the apostrophe should follow the "s." If the noun does not end in "s" then add an "s" after the apostrophe. The sentence above should have the "jurors'" changed to "juror's." While "jurors" is often a plural noun (there are twelve members of a standard U.S jury), in this case "the final juror" is one person, and thus a singular noun.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
"Im sorry," said the Professor. "I cannot raise your grade at this time." No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
"Im sorry," said the Professor. "I cannot raise your grade at this time." No error
The words "I am" may be contracted into "I'm." The contraction as written above is missing an apostrophe, which should be corrected.
The words "I am" may be contracted into "I'm." The contraction as written above is missing an apostrophe, which should be corrected.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I can't believe that someone would steal everyones' stuff. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I can't believe that someone would steal everyones' stuff. No error
In spite of the fact that it describes more than one person, "everyone" is a singular noun. To correctly indicate possession when using "everyone" simply add an apostrophe and an "s" to the end of the word. The sentence above incorrectly places an "s" before the apostrophe at the end of "everyone."
In spite of the fact that it describes more than one person, "everyone" is a singular noun. To correctly indicate possession when using "everyone" simply add an apostrophe and an "s" to the end of the word. The sentence above incorrectly places an "s" before the apostrophe at the end of "everyone."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The couple started to look for a new chair for their apartment; their old one lost one of it's legs. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The couple started to look for a new chair for their apartment; their old one lost one of it's legs. No error
The error is "it's" because "it's" is short for "it is" and "their old \[chair\] lost one of it is legs" doesn't make sense. The correction is to use "its" rather than "it's" because "its" indicates possession and the chair possesses its legs. A corrected sentence would look like this: The couple started to look for a new chair for their apartment; their old one lost one of its legs.
The error is "it's" because "it's" is short for "it is" and "their old \[chair\] lost one of it is legs" doesn't make sense. The correction is to use "its" rather than "it's" because "its" indicates possession and the chair possesses its legs. A corrected sentence would look like this: The couple started to look for a new chair for their apartment; their old one lost one of its legs.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Werent you supposed to be guarding the food stores last night? No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Werent you supposed to be guarding the food stores last night? No error
"Weren't" is a contraction of the words "were not" and must always contain an apostrophe. "Werent" is incorrect as written in the provided sentence, as it is missing this apostrophe.
"Weren't" is a contraction of the words "were not" and must always contain an apostrophe. "Werent" is incorrect as written in the provided sentence, as it is missing this apostrophe.
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