Question

A. NO CHANGE B. they're attempt to reduce it's C. their attempt to reduce its D. their attempt to reduce it's

Short answer

Answer: Replace "they're attempt to reduce it's" with "their attempt to reduce its."

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Errors

Read the sentence carefully and identify any grammatical errors in the underlined part. Specifically, focus on the correct usage of pronouns and contractions.

Analyze the Options

Go through each option and analyze if it corrects the identified errors without creating additional mistakes.

Compare and Contrast

Compare and contrast the options, making sure to consider the correct usage of 'it's' vs 'its' and 'their' vs 'they're.'

Select the Best Option

Choose the option that best corrects the identified errors and maintains the appropriate grammar in the sentence, making sure there are no further issues after the correction.

Explanation of the Choice

For this exercise, the underlined part contains the mistake: "they're attempt to reduce it's". The correct version should be "their attempt to reduce its." So, Option C is the correct answer. 1. "they're" should be replaced with "their" as it indicates possession. 2. "it's" should be replaced with "its" to represent possession in this context. The contraction "it's" stands for "it is" or "it has," which doesn't fit in this context.

Key concepts

Pronoun Usage

Pronouns are a fundamental part of English grammar, acting as placeholders for nouns and providing ease of reading and comprehension. The misuse of pronouns can lead to confusion, making sentences ambiguous or incorrect.

For example, the pronouns 'they're,' 'their,' and 'there' often confuse students as they sound alike but have different meanings and uses. 'They're' is a contraction for 'they are,' whereas 'their' indicates possession, belonging to some people or group. Lack of understanding around this area can drastically change the intended meaning of a sentence. It is crucial to distinguish between these pronouns to ensure clear and proper communication.

Similarly, knowing when to use 'he,' 'she,' 'it,' and 'they,' or their object forms 'him,' 'her,' 'it,' and 'them,' will keep sentences grammatically sound and coherent. Remember, the pronoun used must agree in number and gender with the noun it replaces.

Contractions in English

In English, contractions are a combination of words that have been shortened by the omission of certain letters and sounds, and they are often marked with an apostrophe. Common examples include 'it's' for 'it is' or 'it has,' and 'don't' for 'do not.'

Contractions are highly prevalent in spoken English and informal writing as they mimic natural speech patterns. However, their incorrect usage can lead to grammatical mistakes. For instance, in the exercise provided, 'it's' should be 'its' to signify possession. It is essential to remember that contractions express a verb with a pronoun or noun and an auxiliary verb or verb not, whereas their similar-sounding counterparts without the apostrophe are possessive pronouns or adjectives.

Possessive Pronouns

Possessive pronouns showcase ownership or belonging. Examples include 'my,' 'your,' 'his,' 'her,' 'its,' 'our,' and 'their.' These pronouns replace possessive nouns and avoid repetition. For instance, rather than saying 'the bicycle of John,' you can simply say 'his bicycle.'

Possessive pronouns must agree with the nouns they are associated with, and they do not need an apostrophe to show possession, unlike contractions. A common error, as shown in the exercise, is confusing 'its' (the possessive pronoun) with 'it's' (the contraction for 'it is' or 'it has'). Remember, 'its' signifies possession related to 'it,' such as in 'The cat licked its paw,' while 'it's' is always the contraction for 'it is' or 'it has,' as in 'It's been raining all day.'