Question

A) NO CHANGE B) their C) it’s D) its

Short answer

Without the original sentence, it is not possible to provide a specific short answer. However, based on the provided options and their usage rules, you can select the appropriate option when the context of the sentence is given. Please refer to the generic rules and examples provided in the solution.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the sentence

First, we need the sentence to be analyzed. Without knowing the specific sentence, we can proceed by reviewing generic rules for using the pronouns provided in options B, C, and D.

Review pronoun rules

Before discussing each option, let's review the rules for pronoun usage: - "their" is a plural possessive pronoun used to show possession or ownership when referring to more than one entity. - "it's" is a contraction for "it is" or "it has". It is not a possessive pronoun. - "its" is a singular possessive pronoun used to show possession or ownership when referring to a singular noun, such as a thing or an animal.

Discuss each option

In this step, we will go over the provided options and determine in which cases they are used: A) NO CHANGE: This option implies that the pronoun used in the original sentence is correct. We need the sentence to analyze this further. B) "their": This pronoun is used when talking about possession or ownership for multiple entities. Example: The students left their books on the table. C) "it’s": This is a contraction for "it is" or "it has". Example: It's going to be a great day. or It's been a long week. D) "its": This pronoun is used when talking about possession or ownership for a singular noun (usually an object or an animal). Example: The dog ate its food. As you did not supply the original sentence, we have presented the information and examples necessary to make a decision when given the specific sentence.

Key concepts

Possessive Pronouns

Possessive pronouns are an important part of English grammar that help us show who owns what. Understanding how to use them correctly can make your sentences clear and precise.
For example:

• "Their" is a possessive pronoun. It shows that something belongs to more than one person or thing. You might say, "The team celebrated their victory," indicating that the victory belongs to the entire team.
• "Its" is another possessive pronoun. Unlike "their," it refers to ownership by a single entity like an animal or a thing. For instance, "The cat chased its tail," where the tail belongs to the cat.

Remember, possessive pronouns should not have apostrophes. This is a common mistake learners make, but understanding this rule can help prevent errors in writing.

Contractions

Contractions are used to combine two words into one, making speech and writing more casual and fluid. They are typically marked by an apostrophe, which replaces the letters that have been omitted. For example,

• "It's" is a contraction for "it is" or "it has." You might say, "It's raining," which stands for "It is raining," or "It's been fun," which means "It has been fun."

When you see an apostrophe in a word like "it's," remember that it's a contraction and not a possessive pronoun. This understanding can greatly improve the clarity of your writing by ensuring that sentences mean exactly what you intend them to.

Singular vs Plural Entities

Understanding whether a noun is singular or plural is crucial for choosing the correct possessive pronoun. This choice affects the overall meaning of your sentences.

• A singular entity refers to just one person, place, or thing. When using possessive pronouns for singular entities, you should use "its." For example, "The computer has its own unique serial number." Here, "its" shows that the serial number belongs to just one computer.
• A plural entity involves more than one person, place, or thing. For these, "their" is the correct possessive pronoun. For instance, "The students received their diplomas," indicates ownership by more than one student.

Knowing how to differentiate between singular and plural entities helps ensure that your pronoun usage matches the number of items or people you're referring to, making your communication more precise and effective.