16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsMediumApostrophe with a plural possessive

Standard English Conventions practice question

The ____ nests, built from mud and grass under the eaves, survive the winter and are reused each spring.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. swallows'Correct
  2. B. swallow's
  3. C. swallows
  4. D. swallows's

Answer: A. swallows'

Several swallows own the nests: plural 'swallows' plus an apostrophe.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. swallow's
'Swallow's' is singular — one bird.
C. swallows
With no apostrophe, 'swallows nests' shows no possession.
D. swallows's
'Swallows's' is not the plural possessive form.

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