IXL | Identify and correct errors with compound and joint possession

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Mom and Dad's car has over a hundred and fifty thousand miles on it, and it is absolutely ancient. It still runs well, though, so they won't even consider purchasing a new vehicle.

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Ethel Rosenberg's and Julius Rosenberg's conspiracy trial in 1951 was highly publicized and widely debated. While some Americans felt the Rosenbergs were victims of anti-Communist hysteria, others believed the husband and wife had indeed shared secret information with the Russian government.

key idea

A possessive noun shows who or what owns something or has something.

To form the possessive of a compound noun, make the last part of the noun possessive.

my sister-in-law's career

the secretary of state's speech

the chiefs of staff's legacies

my great-grandmothers' names

When two nouns joined by and share possession of something, only the second noun should be written as a possessive noun.

Becca and Lily's room is larger than mine.

Becca and Lily share one room.

When two nouns joined by and do not share possession of something, both nouns should be written as possessive nouns.

Becca's and Lily's rooms are larger than mine.

Becca and Lily each have their own room.

solution

Ethel Rosenberg and Julius Rosenberg's is correct. Ethel Rosenberg and Julius Rosenberg share possession of the conviction, so only the second noun should be written as a possessive noun.

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