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How to Solve Plural and Possessive Pronouns for the New Digital SAT | TTA Guide
Plural and Possessive Pronouns for the NEW Digital SAT
Hey there! Let's talk about pronouns. These are words like "it" or "their" that we use instead of repeating nouns in a sentence. They make our writing smoother and easier to read.
For example, instead of saying "Jennifer is a talented musician, and Jennifer's music touches hearts wherever Jennifer performs," we can say "Jennifer is a talented musician, and her music touches hearts wherever she performs." It sounds much better, right?
Pro Tip: Using Apostrophes with Pronouns
Here are two important rules to remember:
1. To show possession, just add -s. Don't use an apostrophe.
2. For contractions with "is" or "are," add apostrophe + -s or -re.
The SAT often tests "it" and "they" with apostrophes, so watch out for these!
"It's" vs. "Its": What's the Difference?
People often get confused about when to use "it's" and "its". Here's a simple way to remember:
It's = it is, it has
Example: It's going to rain today.
Its = shows possession, comes before a noun
Example: The cat licked its paw.
Remember: "Its'" and "Its's" are not correct. They don't exist in proper grammar.
Let's look at an example:
"The restaurant is famous for its spicy dishes."
If we try replacing "its" with "it is," we get: "The restaurant is famous for it is spicy dishes." That doesn't make sense, so we know to use "its" without an apostrophe.
Test Your Knowledge!
Ready to practice? Click the button below for a challenge. Choose the correct option: "its" or "it's". Good luck!
They're, Their, and There
Let's explore three words that sound the same but have different meanings: "they're," "their," and "there." Many people find these tricky, but we'll help you master them!
They're = they are
Example: They're baking cookies for the party.
Their = shows possession, used before a noun
Example: Their garden is full of colorful flowers.
There = refers to a place
Example: The treasure is hidden somewhere over there.
Pro Tip: How to Choose the Right Word
1. For "they're" vs. "their," try replacing the word with "they are." If it fits, use "they're."
2. For "there," check if the sentence is talking about a place. If yes, "there" is your go-to.
3. If neither of the above work, "their" is likely your best choice!
Let's Practice!
Example 1: "Although _____ often praised for creativity, artists sometimes struggle with time management."
Let's try "they are": "Although they are often praised for creativity..." This works, so we use "they're."
Correct: "Although they're often praised for creativity, artists sometimes struggle with time management."
Example 2: "The chefs at the restaurant are known for _____ innovative fusion cuisine."
"They are" doesn't fit here, and we're not talking about a place. So, we use "their" to show possession.
Correct: "The chefs at the restaurant are known for their innovative fusion cuisine."
Example 3: "If you're looking for the best view of the sunset, you should go _____."
This sentence is clearly talking about a place, so we use "there."
Correct: "If you're looking for the best view of the sunset, you should go there."
Test Your Knowledge!
Ready to practice? Click the button below for a challenge. Choose the correct option: "they're," "their," or "there". Good luck!
You're vs. Your
Let's tackle another tricky pair: "you're" and "your." These words sound the same but have different meanings and uses. Let's break it down!
You're = you are
Example: You're going to love this new recipe!
Your = shows possession, used before a noun
Example: Your guitar skills are impressive.
Pro Tip: The "You Are" Test
To figure out which one to use, try replacing the word with "you are." If the sentence still makes sense, use "you're." If not, "your" is the way to go!
Let's Practice!
Example 1: "_____ enthusiasm for learning new languages is admirable."
Let's try "you are": "You are enthusiasm for learning new languages..." That doesn't make sense, so we use "your."
Correct: "Your enthusiasm for learning new languages is admirable."
Example 2: "I think _____ ready to take on this challenging project."
Let's try "you are": "I think you are ready..." This works perfectly, so we use "you're."
Correct: "I think you're ready to take on this challenging project."
Example 3: "The quality of _____ sleep can greatly impact _____ daily performance."
Let's break this down:
1. "The quality of you are sleep..." doesn't make sense, so we use "your" for the first blank.
2. "...can greatly impact you are daily performance" also doesn't work, so we use "your" again.
Correct: "The quality of your sleep can greatly impact your daily performance."
Test Your Knowledge!
Ready to show what you've learned? Click the button for a challenge. Choose between "you're" and "your". Good luck!
Who's vs. Whose and Combined Usage
Who's vs. Whose
Let's explore two words that sound alike but have different meanings: "who's" and "whose." They're often mixed up, but we'll help you master their usage!
Who's = who is, who has
Example: Who's organizing the community garden project?
Whose = possessive form of who (for both people and things)
Example: Whose recipe won the baking competition?
Pro Tip: The "Who Is" Test
To choose between "who's" and "whose," try replacing the word with "who is" or "who has." If it fits, go with "who's." If not, "whose" is your answer!
Let's Practice!
Example 1: "Dr. Amelia Chen is a botanist _____ discovered a rare orchid species in the Amazon rainforest."
Let's try "who is": "Dr. Amelia Chen is a botanist who is discovered..." This doesn't work, so we use "who."
Correct: "Dr. Amelia Chen is a botanist who discovered a rare orchid species in the Amazon rainforest."
Example 2: "The chef _____ culinary creations won multiple awards opened a new restaurant downtown."
Let's try "who is": "The chef who is culinary creations..." That doesn't make sense, so we use "whose."
Correct: "The chef whose culinary creations won multiple awards opened a new restaurant downtown."
Combined Pronoun Agreement and Apostrophe Usage
Sometimes, you'll encounter questions that test both pronoun agreement and apostrophe usage simultaneously. Here's how to approach them:
- First, identify if the subject (what the pronoun is referring to) is singular or plural.
- Then, decide if you need an apostrophe to show a contraction with "is" or "are".
Example: "Quantum entanglement—a phenomenon where particles remain connected even when separated by vast distances—was once considered purely theoretical. However, recent experiments suggest that _____ applications in quantum computing may be more practical than previously believed."
Options: a) it's b) its c) their d) they're
Let's break it down:
- The subject is "quantum entanglement," which is singular.
- We're not creating a contraction with "is" here.
This eliminates options c) and d) because they're plural, and a) because it's a contraction.
Correct answer: b) its
"However, recent experiments suggest that its applications in quantum computing may be more practical than previously believed."
Test Your Knowledge!
Ready to put it all together? Click the button for a challenge that combines pronoun agreement and apostrophe usage. Good luck!
Let's Do Real Practice (Answers to the Right)
Shortly after the exposition, the statue fell into mysterious circumstances that frustrated the art lovers who tried over the years to locate it. Decades passed before the story of ______journey were pieced together. For a while, the marble queen had resided in a Chicago saloon.
Consider these points:
- What is the subject of the sentence? (Hint: Look at what the journey belongs to)
- Is this subject singular or plural?
- Are we trying to say "it is journey" or show possession?
Try replacing the blank with "it is" and read the sentence aloud. Does it sound correct?
Remember: its shows possession, while it's is a contraction of "it is".
