14. Apostrophes (SAT) (SAT WRITING)

​Digital SAT

Grammar section

Lesson 14

​Apostrophes

​Singular	Plural (-s, -es)​	​Singular Possessive (-'s)	Plural Possessive (-s')​
​Scientist	Scientists​	Scientist's​	Scientists'​
​Business	Businesses​	Business's​	Businesses'​

​To form the plural of a noun, add -s. When a singular noun ends in -s, add -es. Do not add an apostrophe.

Correct: The birds are flying. = More than one bird is flying.

Correct: The businesses are open. = More than one business is open.

To form the possessive of a singular regular noun, an or irregular plural noun, add apostrophe + -s.

Correct: The bird's wings are red. = The wings of the bird are red.

Correct: The business's policy is new.= The policy of the business is new.

Correct: The children's growth = The growth of the children

​Singular	Plural​
​Child	Children​
​Fish	Fish​
​Foot	Feet​
​Mouse	Mice​
​Person	People​
​(Wo)man	(Wo)men​

​To form the possessive of a regular plural noun, add an apostrophe after the -s or -es.

Correct: The birds' wings are red. = The wings of the birds are red.

Correct: The businesses' policies are new. = The policies of the businesses are new.

​The construction apostrophe + -s is also used to form a contraction between a noun and the verb is or has. This usage has not traditionally been a major focus of the SAT; however, you should be comfortable distinguishing it from the usage indicating possession.

Correct: The newspaper's distributed nationally.= The newspaper is distributed nationally.

Correct: The study's been released. = The study has been released.

​Plural and Possessive Pronouns

To form the possessive of a pronoun, add -s. Do not add an apostrophe.

To form a contraction with the verb is or are, add apostrophe + -s or -re

Important: The main pronouns tested with apostrophes on the SAT are it and they, and they should be your main focus.

It's vs. Its

It's = it is, it has
Its = possessive of it. Used before a noun.
Its's & Its's = do not exist. Answers with these can be eliminated immediately.

Incorrect: Some critics of the Internet have argued that it is a danger because it's (it is) vastness threatens people's intellectual health.
Correct: Some critics of the Internet have argued that it is a danger because its vastness threatens people's intellectual health.

They're, Their, and There

They're = they are
Their = possessive of they. Used before a noun.
There = a place

Correct: Although they're usually powered by rowers, canoes may also contain sails or motors.
Correct: Deactivated viruses form the basis of many vaccines known for their effectiveness in preventing disease.
Correct: Because Denver is located close to the Rocky Mountains, snow often falls there.

You're vs Your

You're = you are
Your = possessive form of you. Used before a noun.
There = a place

Incorrect: The first few hours of the workday can have a significant effect on you're level of productivity over the following eight hours.

Correct: The first few hours of the workday can have a significant effect on your level of productivity over the following eight hours.

Who's vs. Whose

Who's = who is, who has

Whose = possessive form of who. Unlike who, whose can be used to refer to both people and things.
Incorrect: Frank Gehry is an American architect whose known for his original and sometimes outlandish designs.

Correct: Frank Gehry is an American architect who's (who is) known for his original and sometimes outlandish designs.
But:
Incorrect: Frank Gehry is an American architect who's (who is) designs are famous for their boldness and originality.

Correct: Frank Gehry is an American architect whose designs are famous for their boldness and originality.

​Practice