Standard English ConventionsEasy–MediumPlural possessive
Standard English Conventions practice question
Six horses will compete this afternoon. The ____ manes were braided early this morning.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
- A. horses'Correct
- B. horse's
- C. horses
- D. horses's
Answer: A. horses'
The manes belong to six horses, so the possessive is plural. A plural noun ending in s takes only an apostrophe after the s: horses'.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. horse's
- 'horse's' is the possessive of ONE horse. The first sentence tells us there are six.
- C. horses
- 'horses' is just the plural — it shows no possession, so 'the horses manes' has nothing linking the manes to the horses.
- D. horses's
- 'horses's' adds a second s that Standard English doesn't use for a regular plural. The plural possessive is 'horses' with the apostrophe alone.
More Standard English Conventions questions
- Easy–Medium
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The collection of… - Easy–Medium
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The company annou… - Easy–Medium
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? After the storm f… - Easy–Medium
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? There ____ severa… - Easy–Medium
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Over the past dec… - Easy–Medium
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.