SAT Writing : Correcting Apostrophe Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
All SAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #144 : Correcting Punctuation 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.
Is that Rorys watch you're wearing?
Rorys watch you're
Rory' watch you're
Rory's watch your
Rory's watch you're
Rory's watch you're
For a singular noun (including proper nouns) the correct way to indicate possession is to put an apostrophe and an "s" onto the name. "You're" is a contraction of the phrase "you are."
Example Question #144 : Improving Sentences
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
player's
players'
players's
players
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.
Example Question #145 : Correcting Punctuation 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.
The chair could not stand upright, it was missing one of it's legs.
it
its'
its
its's
it's
its
"It's" is a contraction meaning "it is." "Its" is the possessive form of the pronoun "it." "Its" is correct in the underlined portion of the sentence above.
Example Question #145 : Improving Sentences
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.
Pauls's day went from bad to worse after he got his test results.
Pauls
Pau'ls
Paulses
Paul's
Pauls's
Paul's
When one wants to indicate possession when using a singular noun, one merely needs to add an apostrophe and then an s to the end of the noun. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "Paul's." Even if the name had been "Pauls" the example sentence would be incorrect. Proper nouns ending in "s" should simply have an apostrophe after the "s."
Example Question #151 : Improving Sentences
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.
Moses stone tablets are among the most famous in history.
Moseses's
Moses
Moses'
Moseses'
Moses, his
Moses'
When one wants to indicate possession when using a singular noun, one merely needs to add an apostrophe and then an s to the end of the noun; however, if the noun ends in , then you can merely add an apostrophe. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is "Moses."
Example Question #1492 : Sat Writing
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
wonted
won't
want
will not
wont
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.
Example Question #22 : Correcting Apostrophe Errors
The ancient herd of bison made it's way across the open plains.
it's
its
their
its'
bison's
its
"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.
Example Question #153 : Correcting Punctuation 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.
I would love to see Professor Cromwell speak, but I cant stand his verbosity.
I can't stand
i cant stand
I wont stand
I cant stand
I can not stand
I can't stand
The word "cant" means something entirely different from the word "can't," which is a contraction of the words "can" and "not." Cant refers to hypocritical or overtly sanctimonious discourse, which obviously has little bearing on this sentence, since "can't" is obviously intended to function as a verb in this context. The best way to correct the underlined portion is: "I can't stand"
Example Question #24 : 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.
I love eating at the convent: the nuns bread is simply superior to the stuff you can get at the supermarket.
I love eating at the convent, the nuns bread, is simply superior to the stuff you can get at the supermarket.
I love eating at the convent: the nuns' bread is simply superior to the stuff you can get at the supermarket.
I love eating at the convent: the nuns bread is simply superior to the stuff you can get at the supermarket.
I love eating at the convent. The nuns bread is simply superior to the stuff you can get at the supermarket.
I love eating at the convent, the nun's bread, is simply superior to the stuff you can get at the supermarket.
I love eating at the convent: the nuns' bread is simply superior to the stuff you can get at the supermarket.
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 is: "I love eating at the convent: the nuns' bread is simply superior to the stuff you can get at the supermarket."
Example Question #154 : Correcting Punctuation 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.
Its positively beastly and unsightly to eat like that at a banquet.
Its positively beastly, unsightly
Its positively beastly and unsightly
Its' positively beastly and unsightly
It's positively beastly and unsightly
Its positive beastly and unsightly
It's positively beastly and unsightly
“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "It's positively beastly and unsightly"
Certified Tutor
All SAT Writing Resources
