ACT English : Correcting Grammatical Errors
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Example Questions
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."
Katies' view of the canyon was unobstructed by clouds.
Katies's
Katie'
Katies
NO CHANGE
Katie'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 #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."
We would like to borrow your car because ours is being repaired.
ours'
our
our's
NO CHANGE
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 #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."
Our teacher possesse's the answers to a wide variety of questions.
NO CHANGE
possess'
possesse'
possesses'
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 #74 : 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 bottle's of pop exploded suddenly and without warning.
bottles's
bottles
NO CHANGE
bottle'
bottles'
bottles
The sentence indicates multiple bottles but not possession. Therefore, no apostrophe is necessary. "Bottles" is correct because it indicates plurality.
Example Question #75 : 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 Dans spine.
NO CHANGE
The dogs' howl sent a shiver down Dan's spine.
The dog's howl sent a shiver down Dan's spine.
The dog's 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 #76 : 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 Smith's have two dogs, two cats, and an exotic fish named Susan B. Anthony.
Smiths
NO CHANGE
Smiths's
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 #77 : 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.
bees'
bees
bees's
NO CHANGE
bees
"Bees" is a plural noun and does not show possession. Therefore, an apostrophe is not necessary.
Example Question #78 : 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.
NO CHANGE
Many Christmass' ago, Markus received a gift that would change his life.
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.
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.
Example Question #651 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
David and Denises extravagant vacation made their friends rather envious of the couple's newfound success.
David and Denise's extravagant vacation made their friends rather envious of the couple's newfound success.
David and Denises' extravagant vacation made their friends rather envious of the couple's newfound success.
NO CHANGE
David's and Denise's extravagant vacation made their friends rather envious of the couples newfound success.
David and Denise's extravagant vacation made their friends rather envious of the couple's newfound success.
When two people possess the same item (in this case, a vacation) the apostrophe is placed after the second name only. An apostrophe must also occur after couple, to demonstrate that they possess success.
Example Question #652 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the sentence. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Feeding your dog a well-balanced and varied diet is better for its health.
NO CHANGE
Feeding your dog a well-balanced and varied diet is better for it's health.
Feeding your dog a well-balanced and varied diet is better for its' health.
Feeding your dog a well-balanced and varied diet is better for its's health.
NO CHANGE
In this sentence, its is a personal pronoun and doesn't require an apostrophe. Other examples of personal pronouns include hers, ours, theirs, yours, whose, and oneself.
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