ACT English : Apostrophe Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English
All ACT English Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #621 : Punctuation Errors
The truth is, I kinda hate my brother. Can you blame me? We're always fighting. Today, he "borrowed" my favorite book and now its ripped in two. Likewise, my brother and I like to play sports together. We both bond over games like volleyball, and basketball. We both play real good. We even were considering trying out for the high school team together.
Which of the following is the correct alternative for the underlined word, "its"?
it
it was
it's
its'
NO CHANGE
it's
The original sentence uses "its," which is used to show ownership or possession; however, the author was trying to say the contraction for "it is." The correct form of this contraction is "it's."
Example Question #621 : Punctuation Errors
Passage adapted from Anna Sewell's Black Beauty (1877)
I was now beginning to grow handsome; my coat had grown fine and soft, and was bright black. I had one white foot and a pretty white star on my forehead. I was thought very handsome; my master would not sell me till I was four years old; he said lads ought not to work like men, and colts ought not to work like horses till they were quite grown up. When I was four years old Squire Gordon came to look at me. He examined my eyes, my mouth, and my legs; he felt them all down; and then I had to walk and trot and gallop before him. He seemed to like me, and said “When he has been well broken in he will do very well.” My master said he would break me in himself, as he should not like me to be frightened or hurt, and he lost no time about it, for the next day he began.
Every one may not know what breaking in is, therefore I will describe it. It means to teach a horse to wear a saddle and bridle, and to carry on his back a man, woman or child; to go just the way they wish, and to go quietly. Besides this he had to learn to wear a collar, a crupper, and a breeching, and to stand still while they are put on; then to have a cart or a chaise fixed behind, so that he cannot walk or trot without dragging it after him; and he must go fast or slow, just as his driver wishes. He must never start at what he sees, nor speak to other horses, nor bite, nor kick, nor have any will of his own; but always do his masters' will, even though he may be very tired or hungry; but the worst of all is, when his harness is once on, he may neither jump for joy nor lie down for weariness. So you see this breaking in is a great thing.
Choose the answer that best corrects the bolded and underlined portion of the passage. If the bolded and underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
NO CHANGE
master wills
master's will
masters will
will
master's will
This question is asking the reader to choose the answer which shows proper possession of the word "will." Because the passage implies that each horse has only one master, the best option should maintain possession of a singular master. The answer choice "will" implies that it's the horse's will, rather than the master's.
Example Question #622 : Punctuation Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Katies' view of the canyon was unobstructed by clouds.
Katies
Katie's
NO CHANGE
Katie'
Katies's
Katie's
In this sentence, the view belongs to Katie. Therefore, the apostrophe must indicate possession. No apostrophe indicates plurality (more than one Katie). The apostrophe after "s" indicates a group of Katies having possession of the view.
Example Question #623 : Punctuation Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
We would like to borrow your car because ours is being repaired.
ours'
NO CHANGE
our
our's
our'
NO CHANGE
"Ours" is already a possessive pronoun, so it does not require an apostrophe. An additional apostrophe would be redundant and incorrect.
Example Question #624 : Punctuation Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Our teacher possesse's the answers to a wide variety of questions.
possesses
possess'
NO CHANGE
possesse'
possesses'
possesses
"Possesses" is a verb (like goes, runs, swims, or studies). No apostrophe is necessary, and, in fact, any apostrophe is incorrect.
Example Question #625 : Punctuation Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
The bottle's of pop exploded suddenly and without warning.
bottles's
bottles'
bottles
bottle'
NO CHANGE
bottles
The sentence indicates multiple bottles but not possession. Therefore, no apostrophe is necessary. "Bottles" is correct because it indicates plurality.
Example Question #71 : Apostrophe Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
The dogs howl sent a shiver down Dan's spine.
The dogs' howl sent a shiver down Dan's spine.
NO CHANGE
The dog's howl sent a shiver down Dan's spine.
The dog's howl sent a shiver down Dans spine.
The dogs howl sent a shiver down Dans spine.
The dog's howl sent a shiver down Dan's spine.
Within the logic of this sentence, the "howl" belongs to the "dog," and the "spine" belongs to "Dan." Therefore, the apostrophes must indicate possession. "Dog's" and "Dan's" are the correct choice because they indicate possession.
Example Question #627 : Punctuation Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
The Smith's have two dogs, two cats, and an exotic fish named Susan B. Anthony.
Smiths's
Smiths'
NO CHANGE
Smiths
Smiths
"The Smiths" is a plural noun and it is not possessing anything. The possession the sentence describes is made clear by the verb have, so it is unnecessary to reflect that in the preceding noun. A plural noun does not require an apostrophe when it is not showing possession.
Example Question #72 : Apostrophe Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Panicked, Daniel quickly ran away from the angry bee's.
NO CHANGE
bees
bees'
bees's
bees
"Bees" is a plural noun and does not show possession. Therefore, an apostrophe is not necessary.
Example Question #73 : Apostrophe Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Many Christmases' ago, Markus received a gift that would change his life.
Many Christmas's ago, Markus received a gift that would change his life.
Many Christmases ago, Markus received a gift that would change his life.
Many Christmass' ago, Markus received a gift that would change his life.
NO CHANGE
Many Christmases ago, Markus received a gift that would change his life.
Christmases is a plural noun, so no apostrophe is necessary because possession is not being indicated. In this case, because Christmas already ends in an s, the spelling is changed (by adding an e before the final s) to reflect plurality.
All ACT English Resources
