SAT Writing › Correcting Apostrophe Errors
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
You are won't to be so rude in public that hardly anyone wants to go out with you.
wont
will not
won't
want
wonted
The word "won't" is a contraction of the words "will not." The word "wont," on the other hand, is a word that means someone is likely to do something, or has a tendency to do something. In the sentence above, "wont" is correct and "won't" isn't.
The ancient herd of bison made it's way across the open plains.
its
its'
it's
bison's
their
"It's" is a contraction for the words "it is." "Its" indicates possession. Therefore, in the sentence above, "its" is correct, and "it's" is not.
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Its difficult to understand Larry's behavior; it's almost like he doesn't know how to talk to people.
It's difficult to understand Larry's behavior; it's almost like he doesn't know how to talk to people.
Its difficult to understand Larry's behavior; it's almost like he doesn't know how to talk to people.
Its difficult to understand Larry's behavior; its almost like he doesn't know how to talk to people.
It's difficult to understand Larry's behavior; its almost like he doesn't know how to talk to people.
Its difficult to understand Larry's behavior, it's almost like he doesn't know how to talk to people.
“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. Clearly in this sentence, we need a "be" verb, so the best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "It's difficult to understand Larry's behavior; it's almost like he doesn't know how to talk to people."
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Baseball player's are known for their quick reaction times.
players
player's
players'
players's
player
The example sentence is simply talking about baseball players in general, while the sentence is discussing some attributes possessed by those players, there is no grammatical need to indicate possession in this sentence, so no apostrophe is needed.
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The mens soccer team was unsuccessful at their tournament, but they did play their best.
The men's soccer team was unsuccessful at their tournament,
The mens's soccer team was unsuccessful at their tournament,
The man's soccer team was unsuccessful at their tournament;
The mens soccer team was unsuccessful at their tournament,
The young mans' soccer team was unsuccessful at their tournament;
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 best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "The mens' soccer team was unsuccessful at their tournament,"
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The robot's brain had been badly damaged; it was unable to follow it's protocols.
The robot's brain had been badly damaged; it was unable to follow its protocols.
The robot's brain had been badly damaged; it was unable to follow it's protocols.
The robot's brain had been badly damaged, it was unable to follow it's protocols.
The robots brain had been badly damaged; it was unable to follow its protocols.
The robots brain had been badly damaged, it was unable to follow its protocols.
“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. In this case, the "protocols" are the robot's, so the best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "The robot's brain had been badly damaged; it was unable to follow its protocols."
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The geeses leader was battered by the storm, and unable to fly effectively.
The geese's leader was battered by the storm, and unable to fly effectively.
The geeses leader was battered by the storm, and unable to fly effectively.
The geeses' leader was battered by the storm, and unable to fly effectively.
The geeses leader was battered by the storm and unable to fly effectively.
The geeses' leader was battered by the storm and unable to fly effectively.
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. Note that while "geese" is the plural formation of "goose" it does not end in "s." The best way to correct the sentence above is, "The geese's leader was battered by the storm, and unable to fly effectively."
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Toms shoes were utterly soaked by the rain.
Tom's shoes
Toms shoes
Tom's' shoes
Toms' shoes
Tom's shoes'
When indicating possession in sentences where the subject of the sentence is a third person, singular noun, you must follow that noun with an apostrophe and then an "s." The best construction of the underlined portion above is, "Tom's shoes."
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Franklins' hat was sopping wet with rain; it was not doing a very good job of protecting him from the elements.
Franklin's hat was sopping wet with rain; it was not doing a very good job of protecting him from the elements.
Franklins' hat was sopping wet with rain; it was not doing a very good job of protecting him from the elements.
Franklins hat was sopping wet with rain; it was not doing a very good job of protecting him from the elements.
Franklins' hat was sopping wet with rain, it was not doing a very good job of protecting him from the elements.
Franklins hat was sopping wet with rain, it was not doing a very good job of protecting him from the elements.
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. There is only one "Franklin" and he owns "a hat", so the best way to correct the underlined portion is, "Franklin's hat was sopping wet with rain; it was not doing a very good job of protecting him from the elements."
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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Amandas watch broke when it fell off of the conveyor belt.
Amanda's watch
Amandas watch
Amandas' watch
Amanda s watch
Amanda her watch
When indicating possession in a sentence where the subject of the sentence is a third person, singular noun, you must follow that noun with an apostrophe and then an "s." The best construction of the underlined portion above is, "Amanda's watch." "Amandas" would be the plural noun for a group of women all named Amanda. An apostrophe following an "s" is used to denote possession for plural nouns ending in an "s."