Apostrophes indicate possession or contractions. The Digital SAT tests your ability to use them correctly, especially in tricky cases like plural possessives and its/it's.
Core Concepts
Singular Possession
Add 's to the singular noun:
- "The student's notebook" (one student)
- "The boss's decision" (one boss — even if it ends in s)
Plural Possession
If the plural ends in s, add just an apostrophe:
- "The students' notebooks" (multiple students)
If the plural doesn't end in s, add 's:
- "The children's toys"
Contractions vs. Possessives
| Contraction | Possessive |
|---|---|
| it's = it is/has | its (no apostrophe) |
| who's = who is/has | whose |
| they're = they are | their |
| you're = you are | your |
The Its/It's Trap
- It's = it is or it has (contraction)
- Its = belonging to it (possessive)
Test: replace with "it is." If it works, use "it's."
Strategy Tips
Tip 1: Substitution Test
Replace the word with the expanded form. "It's hot" → "It is hot" ✓.
Tip 2: Possessive Pronouns Never Have Apostrophes
its, whose, theirs, yours, ours — no apostrophe.
Tip 3: Identify the Owner
Who owns what? Then apply the correct possessive form.
Worked Example: Example 1
"The ____ performance was outstanding." (team)
"The team's performance was outstanding." (Singular possessive.)
Worked Example: Example 2
"The dog wagged ____ tail."
"its" ✓ (possessive, not a contraction)
Key Takeaways
Singular possessive: add 's. Plural possessive ending in s: add just '.
Possessive pronouns (its, whose, theirs) never have apostrophes.
Contractions use apostrophes to replace missing letters.
Use the substitution test for it's/its, who's/whose, etc.
