SAT Writing : Identifying Apostrophe Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #21 : Identifying Apostrophe Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
In all three vital trials, the juries' verdicts were still being debated. No error
debated
vital trials,
In
No error
juries'
No error
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. Therefore, to indicate possession with "juries," you merely need to add an apostrophe after the "s." The sentence above is correct as written.
Example Question #22 : Identifying Apostrophe Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no errors at all.
Hunters in the boreal region have complained about the statewide hunting sanctions, since the local deers’ prevalence has led to the destruction of many valuable crops. No error
the local deers’
No error
boreal region
sanctions
has led to
the local deers’
The plural of deer is “deer,” not “deers,” so the correct possessive form would be “deer’s.” Everything else in the sentence is grammatically correct.
Example Question #23 : Identifying Apostrophe Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
There were rumors that the teacher’s lounge was getting a new vending machine, but these rumors were belied by an announcement about school budget cuts. No error
machine,
the teacher’s lounge
but these
about school budget cuts.
No error
the teacher’s lounge
Because multiple teachers work at the school and use the lounge, we need a plural possessive: “teachers’ lounge” is the correct form. (Since we have two independent clauses joined with a conjunction, the correct punctuation mark before “but” is a comma and not a semicolon.)
Example Question #24 : Identifying Apostrophe Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Students who have attended parochial school will often remember how to say Our Father’s and other prayers long after they leave; the constant repetition ensures that the words are ingrained in graduates’ memories. No error
long after they leave;
parochial
graduates’
Our Father’s
No error
Our Father’s
No apostrophe is needed to form this plural. The correct plural of “Our Father” is “Our Fathers.” The semicolon is correctly separating the two independent clauses here.
Example Question #25 : Identifying Apostrophe Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Some of my fondest childhood memories involve going over to the Singhs’ house and playing in the woods in their backyard; I imagined elaborate kingdoms full of dragons and princesses in the copses and thickets. No error
backyard
Singhs’
involve going over
copses and thickets
No error
Singhs’
The narrator of this sentence is talking about the house belonging to the Singhs (plural), not the Singh (singular), so the correct possessive form is “the Singhs’ house.” Here, a semicolon is correctly separating the two independent clauses.
Example Question #26 : Identifying Apostrophe Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Due to the many alumnis’ generous support, the campaign was a smashing success, and the university was able to build a new woodworking studio for the art department. No error
No error
the many alumnis’
success,
woodworking
smashing
the many alumnis’
The plural of alumnus is alumni, not alumnis, so the correct possessive is “alumni’s generous support.” Here, a comma is needed after the dependent clause (“Due to the many alumni’s generous support”) and between the two independent clauses that are separated by a conjunction.
Example Question #651 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The scientists, all eminent in their fields, were so busy entering figures into the computer that they failed to notice the datas’ glaring inconsistencies. No error
scientists,
eminent
fields,
No error
datas’
datas’
Data is the correct plural, not datas (the singular is actually datum), so the correct plural possessive is simple “data’s glaring inconsistencies.”
Example Question #652 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
My work involves studying the common starlings prevalence in various urban and suburban habitats; as such, I do extensive fieldwork every year. No error
as such,
habitats;
My work involves studying
common starlings
No error
common starlings
In the original sentence, “the common starlings” is incorrect. It should be a singular possessive noun: “the common starling’s prevalence.” Although the scientist is obviously studying more than one starling, he or she is talking about the single species, so “the common starling” is a singular noun.
Example Question #653 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Many students are first exposed to Descarte’s philosophy in high school, but it isn’t until college or even graduate school that they can begin to fully articulate his more complex concepts. No error
No error
it isn’t until
Descarte’s
high school
they can begin to
Descarte’s
Here, an apostrophe is incorrectly breaking up philosopher René Descartes’ name. The apostrophe should come after the ‘s’ and not before it.
Example Question #654 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
After watching your dog, I’ve reached the conclusion that it doesn’t like to have its’ head stroked or its belly rubbed. No error
its’
I’ve reached the conclusion that
dog,
No error
its
its’
The correct possessive of the pronoun “it” is “its” without an apostrophe. Therefore, the correct phrase should be “it doesn’t like to have its head stroked.” The rest of the punctuation and phrases in the sentence are correct.
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