Question

apostrophes assigned by michael whitehead due sep 26, 2025 11:59 pm your turn item 1 instructions determine whether an apostrophe is used correctly in each of the following sentences. then, sort each sentence into the correct column. available options (16 of 16) pat and michaels party was very well attended. our vacations about to begin! the bus drivers expression was startling the susan smith blackburn prize is one of the most competitive womens playwriting awards. couldnt you ask for just a little more time to complete the exam? the deers salt licks were set out in several different areas around the property that babys wailing goes right through me! poor erics toothache had gotten so bad that he was forced to lie down for most of the afternoon. part of my problem with the class is that the instructors delivery is too fast for me to understand him. the academy awards honor excellence in acting and in the films themselves. the childrens toys were strewn all over the living room. is yours the coat with the large wooden buttons? the sun wasnt even up yet when martha began her daily four - mile walk if you listen carefully, youre likely to hear the call of the loon on the dark lake. myrons job took him to cities all over the country the civil rights movement was very active in the 1960s. correct incorrect

Explanation:

Apostrophes are used for contractions (e.g., "couldn't", "you're") and to show possession. For singular nouns, add's (e.g., "Eric's toothache"). For plural nouns ending in -s, add just an apostrophe (e.g., "drivers' expression"). For plural nouns not ending in -s, add's (e.g., "women's playwriting awards"). Incorrect uses often involve wrong placement for possession or incorrect contraction forms.

Answer:

Correct:

• Pat and Michael's party was very well attended. (Shows joint - possession)
• The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize is one of the most competitive women's playwriting awards. (Singular - noun equivalent in plural sense, shows possession)
• Couldn't you ask for just a little more time to complete the exam? (Contraction)
• The deer's salt licks were set out in several different areas around the property. (Singular noun, shows possession)
• That baby's wailing goes right through me! (Singular noun, shows possession)
• Poor Eric's toothache had gotten so bad that he was forced to lie down for most of the afternoon. (Singular noun, shows possession)
• The Academy Awards honor excellence in acting and in the films themselves. (No incorrect apostrophe use)
• The sun wasn't even up yet when Martha began her daily four - mile walk. (Contraction)
• If you listen carefully, you're likely to hear the call of the loon on the dark lake. (Contraction)
• Myron's job took him to cities all over the country. (Singular noun, shows possession)

Incorrect:

• Our vacation's about to begin! (Should be "Our vacation is about to begin!" No need for an apostrophe here as it's not a possessive or contraction in the right way)
• The bus drivers' expression was startling. (If there is one driver, it should be "driver's"; if multiple, the context may not support the plural possessive as it seems to refer to one driver's expression)
• Part of my problem with the class is that the instructors delivery is too fast for me to understand him. (Should be "instructor's" for singular possessive)
• The childrens' toys were strewn all over the living room. (Should be "children's" as "children" is a plural noun not ending in -s)
• Is your's the coat with the large wooden buttons? (Should be "Is yours the coat...", "yours" is a possessive pronoun and does not take an apostrophe)
• The civil rights movement was very active in the 1960s. (No incorrect apostrophe use but was likely mis - placed here as it's a correct sentence in terms of apostrophe usage)