Grammar and reading terms · SAT Reading and Writing, ACT English, ACT Reading
Apostrophes and possession
Apostrophes and possession: Apostrophes show possession (the dog's bowl) or contraction (it's = it is); possessive pronouns such as its and their never take apostrophes.
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What it means
Singular nouns add 's (the author's book). Plural nouns ending in s add only an apostrophe (the authors' books). Irregular plurals add 's (the children's toys).
Common traps: its (possessive) vs. it's (it is), their vs. they're, and whose vs. who's.
Example
'The team lost its first game' (possessive). 'It's going to rain' (it is). 'The three scientists' results matched' (plural possessive).
On the exam
Both tests include possessive and plural forms in answer choices, often in the same question.