Apostrophes With Possessive Nouns And Capitalization/Apostrophes With Degree Titles

1. Which of the following sentences uses the apostrophe correctly?

There is no grass left in the field due to the deers's over-eating.

There is no grass left in the field due to the deers' over-eating.

There is no grass left in the field due to the deerses over-eating.

With words that do not change when pluralized, an s or es will be added, followed by an apostrophe.

Explanation

With words that do not change when pluralized, an s or es will be added, followed by an apostrophe.

2. _______ car is faster than mine.

Joshs

Joshs'

Josh's

Josh'es

When showing possession for a singular noun, an apostrophe is added, followed by an s.

Explanation

When showing possession for a singular noun, an apostrophe is added, followed by an s.

3. Select the following sentence that correctly writes John's degree.

John earned his Bachelor of Science degree in engineering in 2013.

John earned his bachelor of science degree in engineering in 2013.

John earned his Bachelor of science degree in engineering in 2013.

John earned his Bachelor's of Science degree in engineering in 2013.

Academic degrees are capitalized when the full name of the degree is used.

Explanation

Academic degrees are capitalized when the full name of the degree is used.

4. Choose the sentence that correctly shows possession of the boat.

Carol and my boat is sitting at the dock.

Carol's and mine boat is sitting at the dock.

Carol's and my boat is sitting at the dock.

Carol and mine boat is sitting at the dock.

When a compound possessive is used and one of the noun is a personal pronoun, both nouns must be in possessive form.

Explanation

When a compound possessive is used and one of the noun is a personal pronoun, both nouns must be in possessive form.

5. Choose the sentence that shows that Bob and Melinda each own a laptop.

Bob and Melinda's laptops were sitting on the table.

Bob's and Melinda laptops were sitting on the table.

Bob's and Melinda's laptops were sitting on the table.

To show that there are two laptops, one owned by Bob and one owned by Melinda, both names need an apostrophe.

Explanation

To show that there are two laptops, one owned by Bob and one owned by Melinda, both names need an apostrophe.

6. The following is the correct use of the apostrophe in the word engineer.Hundreds of people were standing in front of the convention center for the engineer's conference hosted by GE.

True

False

The conference is being held by GE. Engineers is an adjective describing what type of conference it is.

Explanation

The conference is being held by GE. Engineers is an adjective describing what type of conference it is.

7. Select the following sentences that use the apostrophe correctly in the word Illinois.

Illinois' governor is Bruce Rauner.

Illinois governor is Bruce Rauner.

Illinois's governor is Bruce Rauner.

Illinoises governor is Bruce Rauner.

Option 1 and option 3 are grammatically correct. It is personal preference of the writer to choose one. It is important to remain consistent with the choice throughout the text. Alternatively, the possession can be replaced with, "The governor of Illinois."

Explanation

Option 1 and option 3 are grammatically correct. It is personal preference of the writer to choose one. It is important to remain consistent with the choice throughout the text. Alternatively, the possession can be replaced with, "The governor of Illinois."

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8. Choose the sentence that correctly describes the type of general reference.

Kevin earned his Bachelor's degree last semester.

Kevin earned his bachelor degree last semester.

Kevin earned his bachelor's degree last semester.

Kevin earned his bachelors degree last semester.

A general reference states the level of academic degree, but not the field. In this case, an apostrophe is used after the degree name which is lower case.

Explanation

A general reference states the level of academic degree, but not the field. In this case, an apostrophe is used after the degree name which is lower case.

9. When is it appropriate to use abbreviations for academic degrees (M.S.,B.S.,Ph.D.)?

When the author is lazy.

When there is a long list of people with academic degrees.

When use of the full length word would be cumbersome.

When multiple academic degrees are possessed by the same person.

Abbreviations should be used if there is a long list of academic degrees for a list of people or if use of the full title takes up too much space. When multiple degrees are possessed, the year in which the person graduated with the degree should also be listed.

Explanation

Abbreviations should be used if there is a long list of academic degrees for a list of people or if use of the full title takes up too much space. When multiple degrees are possessed, the year in which the person graduated with the degree should also be listed.

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10. Choose the sentence that correctly shows ownership by the Jones family.

The Jones's house is at the end of the road.

The Jones' house is at the end of the road.

The Joneses' house is at the end of the road.

The Joneses house is at the end of the road.

When showing the possessive of a pluralized family name, an apostrophe is added to the pluralized form. Option 4 is close to correct, but it implies the name of the house is Joneses.

Explanation

When showing the possessive of a pluralized family name, an apostrophe is added to the pluralized form. Option 4 is close to correct, but it implies the name of the house is Joneses.