Praxis Writing : Apostrophes
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Apostrophes
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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Given the uncertainty of the current weather conditions, its nearly impossible for travellers to feel confident in their plan's.
it's nearly impossible for traveler's to feel confident in their plans'.
its almost impossible for travellers to feel confident in their plans.
it is nearly impossible for travellers to feel confident in their plans.
its nearly impossible for travellers to feel confident in their plan's.
it is nearly impossible for travellers to feel confident in their plans.
The underlined part of the sentence contains two apostrophe errors. First, "it's" in this case is a contraction of "it is." "Its" (with no apostrophe) is used to signal the possessive (e.g. "the car performed its function"). The most correct, and appropriately formal, version of this sentence would use "it is."
The travellers' "plans" are in this case simply plural, so no apostrophe is needed. "Plan's" would only be used to signal that something belonged to the plans.
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