Question

(A) NO CHANGE (B) Brodber's third novel Louisiana, has (C) Brodbers' third novel, Louisiana has (D) Brodber's third novel, Louisiana-has

Short answer

The correct choice is (B) Brodber's third novel, Louisiana, has.

Step-by-step solution

Analyze the sentence structure

First, identify the elements of the sentence. The core sentence seems to be describing a possession relationship between Brodber and her third novel, which is named Louisiana. We need to ensure that these elements are correctly punctuated and possessive.

Determine the proper possessive form

Since the sentence refers to the third novel by an individual named Brodber, the possessive form needs to be 'Brodber's'. There is only one Brodber, so the possessive form of a singular noun is "'s" as in option (B).

Place commas around the appositive

The name of the novel 'Louisiana' is an appositive because it provides additional information about the third novel mentioned. According to English grammar rules, appositives are typically set off by commas. Therefore, in 'Brodber's third novel, Louisiana, has,' commas should surround 'Louisiana' to clarify that it is the name of the novel.

Compare answer choices

Compare the sentence constructions with correct possessive forms and appositive commas present in the options. Only option (B) correctly uses the possessive form 'Brodber's', has the appositive 'Louisiana' surrounded by commas, and correctly positions the verb 'has' immediately after.

Key concepts

Possessive Nouns

In English, possessive nouns show ownership or a relationship between one noun and another. Generally, to make a singular noun possessive, you add an apostrophe followed by an 's'. For example, if we are talking about a book that belongs to someone named Brodber, we would write 'Brodber's book'. Here, the book is owned by Brodber.

There are a few simple rules to remember when forming possessive nouns:

• For singular nouns, add an apostrophe and an 's': For example, 'the cat’s toy'.
• For plural nouns that already end in 's', just add an apostrophe: For instance, 'the teachers’ lounge'.
• For plural nouns that do not end in 's', add an apostrophe and 's': Like 'children’s games'.

Possessive nouns are useful for clarifying who or what owns something, so it's important to use them correctly in sentences, as you're likely to encounter them in exams like the PSAT.

Appositive Commas

Appositives are nouns or noun phrases that add more information about another noun in a sentence. They usually offer extra context or detail and tend to be surrounded by commas. For example, in the phrase 'my friend, John', 'John' is an appositive that provides more information about 'my friend'.

Using commas correctly with appositives can help ensure your sentences are clear and easy to read. Here are some tips:

• Use commas to separate non-essential appositives from the rest of the sentence: 'My friend, John, is very tall.'
• Omit commas if the appositive is essential for identifying the noun: 'The writer Mark Twain is famous for his wit.'

Appositives contribute to better sentence flow and structure, making writing more engaging and informative.

Sentence Structure

Sentence structure refers to how the elements of a sentence are constructed and put together to convey meaning. Effective sentence structure involves using various parts of speech and ensuring they work together harmoniously. A well-structured sentence is easy to understand and follows grammatical rules.

A typical sentence contains:

• Subject: The person or thing performing the action, such as 'Brodber'.
• Verb: The action or state of being, such as 'has' or 'is'.
• Object: The entity being acted upon, like 'Louisiana' in 'Brodber's third novel, Louisiana, has'.

Various techniques improve sentence flow:

• Maintaining parallel structure when listing items or ideas.
• Using a mixture of short and long sentences for varied rhythm.
• Ensuring subject-verb agreement for clarity and correctness.

Understanding sentence structure helps in crafting effective sentences that contribute to clear and compelling writing.