16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsMediumApostrophe in a singular possessive ending in s

Standard English Conventions practice question

The ____ speech, delivered without notes, drew the loudest applause of the evening.

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

  1. A. chairman'sCorrect
  2. B. chairmans'
  3. C. chairmans
  4. D. chairman

Answer: A. chairman's

One chairman owns the speech: 'chairman's'.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. chairmans'
'Chairmans'' would be a plural possessive of a word whose plural is 'chairmen'.
C. chairmans
'Chairmans' is neither a plural nor a possessive.
D. chairman
'Chairman speech' shows no possession.

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