Plural or Possessive worksheet for grammar practice.
Plural or Possessive worksheet with fill-in-the-blank sentences and word bank, featuring a pencil and notebook illustration.
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Step-by-step solution for: Plural or Possessive - Fill-in-the-Blank Sentences Worksheet ...
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Plural or Possessive - Fill-in-the-Blank Sentences Worksheet ...
Let’s go through each sentence one by one. We need to pick the correct word from the box that fits grammatically — either a plural noun (more than one) or a possessive form (showing ownership).
We’ll look at clues in each sentence:
- If it says “all the ___ desks” → we need a plural noun (like “witnesses’”) because “desks” is plural and owned by someone.
- If it says “my young ___ birthday” → we need a possessive (like “niece’s”) because the birthday belongs to the niece.
- If it says “there were ___ in the trees” → we need a plural noun (like “crows”) because it’s talking about more than one bird.
Let’s solve them step by step:
1. All the secretaries’ desks are covered with file folders.
→ “Secretaries’” is possessive plural — the desks belong to multiple secretaries.
2. My young niece’s birthday is next month.
→ “Niece’s” is singular possessive — the birthday belongs to one niece.
3. All the witnesses to the crime agreed on what they’d seen.
→ “Witnesses” is plural — more than one person saw the crime.
4. My two nieces’ bedroom has a window overlooking the park.
→ “Nieces’” is plural possessive — the bedroom belongs to two nieces.
5. There were crows in the trees outside my window.
→ “Crows” is plural — more than one bird.
6. I found a black crow’s feather in the woods.
→ “Crow’s” is singular possessive — the feather belongs to one crow.
7. It is a country’s duty to tell the truth.
→ “Country’s” is singular possessive — the duty belongs to one country.
8. I have three nephews and two nieces.
→ “Nieces” is plural — more than one niece.
9. The secretary’s job is to help the president with her appointments.
→ “Secretary’s” is singular possessive — the job belongs to one secretary.
10. There are two libraries in my town.
→ “Libraries” is plural — more than one library.
11. Many countries’ sign treaties with one another.
→ Wait — this should be “countries” (plural), not possessive. But looking at the options, “countries’” is listed. Actually, the sentence likely means “Many countries sign treaties...” so it should be “countries”. But since “countries’” is the only option close, let’s check again. Hmm — maybe it’s a typo? Looking back at the word list: “countries” is there! Yes — “countries” is in the box. So:
→ Many countries sign treaties with one another.
12. My local library’s book sale was full of bargains.
→ “Library’s” is singular possessive — the book sale belongs to one library.
13. A country’s prosperity depends on its economic strength.
→ “Country’s” is singular possessive — the prosperity belongs to one country.
14. Our state libraries’ computer systems are all linked together.
→ “Libraries’” is plural possessive — the computer systems belong to multiple libraries.
15. Many countries’ flags have stripes.
→ “Countries’” is plural possessive — the flags belong to multiple countries.
16. My sister has a doll that is hers.
→ “Hers” is a possessive pronoun — shows the doll belongs to her.
17. My dog has a ball that is its.
→ “Its” is a possessive pronoun — shows the ball belongs to the dog.
18. My neighbors have a house that is theirs.
→ “Theirs” is a possessive pronoun — shows the house belongs to them.
19. My family has a house that is ours.
→ “Ours” is a possessive pronoun — shows the house belongs to us.
20. All of the witnesses’ accounts of the crime were the same.
→ “Witnesses’” is plural possessive — the accounts belong to multiple witnesses.
Now let’s double-check any tricky ones:
- #11: “Many ___ sign treaties” — needs subject, not possessive → “countries” (not “countries’”). Correct.
- #14: “Our state ___ computer systems” — if it’s “libraries’”, that means multiple libraries owned by the state? Or “library’s”? But “state libraries’” makes sense as plural possessive. Yes.
- #15: “Many ___ flags” — flags belonging to many countries → “countries’” (plural possessive). Correct.
All answers match grammar rules.
Final Answer:
1. secretaries’
2. niece’s
3. witnesses
4. nieces’
5. crows
6. crow’s
7. country’s
8. nieces
9. secretary’s
10. libraries
11. countries
12. library’s
13. country’s
14. libraries’
15. countries’
16. hers
17. its
18. theirs
19. ours
20. witnesses’
We’ll look at clues in each sentence:
- If it says “all the ___ desks” → we need a plural noun (like “witnesses’”) because “desks” is plural and owned by someone.
- If it says “my young ___ birthday” → we need a possessive (like “niece’s”) because the birthday belongs to the niece.
- If it says “there were ___ in the trees” → we need a plural noun (like “crows”) because it’s talking about more than one bird.
Let’s solve them step by step:
1. All the secretaries’ desks are covered with file folders.
→ “Secretaries’” is possessive plural — the desks belong to multiple secretaries.
2. My young niece’s birthday is next month.
→ “Niece’s” is singular possessive — the birthday belongs to one niece.
3. All the witnesses to the crime agreed on what they’d seen.
→ “Witnesses” is plural — more than one person saw the crime.
4. My two nieces’ bedroom has a window overlooking the park.
→ “Nieces’” is plural possessive — the bedroom belongs to two nieces.
5. There were crows in the trees outside my window.
→ “Crows” is plural — more than one bird.
6. I found a black crow’s feather in the woods.
→ “Crow’s” is singular possessive — the feather belongs to one crow.
7. It is a country’s duty to tell the truth.
→ “Country’s” is singular possessive — the duty belongs to one country.
8. I have three nephews and two nieces.
→ “Nieces” is plural — more than one niece.
9. The secretary’s job is to help the president with her appointments.
→ “Secretary’s” is singular possessive — the job belongs to one secretary.
10. There are two libraries in my town.
→ “Libraries” is plural — more than one library.
11. Many countries’ sign treaties with one another.
→ Wait — this should be “countries” (plural), not possessive. But looking at the options, “countries’” is listed. Actually, the sentence likely means “Many countries sign treaties...” so it should be “countries”. But since “countries’” is the only option close, let’s check again. Hmm — maybe it’s a typo? Looking back at the word list: “countries” is there! Yes — “countries” is in the box. So:
→ Many countries sign treaties with one another.
12. My local library’s book sale was full of bargains.
→ “Library’s” is singular possessive — the book sale belongs to one library.
13. A country’s prosperity depends on its economic strength.
→ “Country’s” is singular possessive — the prosperity belongs to one country.
14. Our state libraries’ computer systems are all linked together.
→ “Libraries’” is plural possessive — the computer systems belong to multiple libraries.
15. Many countries’ flags have stripes.
→ “Countries’” is plural possessive — the flags belong to multiple countries.
16. My sister has a doll that is hers.
→ “Hers” is a possessive pronoun — shows the doll belongs to her.
17. My dog has a ball that is its.
→ “Its” is a possessive pronoun — shows the ball belongs to the dog.
18. My neighbors have a house that is theirs.
→ “Theirs” is a possessive pronoun — shows the house belongs to them.
19. My family has a house that is ours.
→ “Ours” is a possessive pronoun — shows the house belongs to us.
20. All of the witnesses’ accounts of the crime were the same.
→ “Witnesses’” is plural possessive — the accounts belong to multiple witnesses.
Now let’s double-check any tricky ones:
- #11: “Many ___ sign treaties” — needs subject, not possessive → “countries” (not “countries’”). Correct.
- #14: “Our state ___ computer systems” — if it’s “libraries’”, that means multiple libraries owned by the state? Or “library’s”? But “state libraries’” makes sense as plural possessive. Yes.
- #15: “Many ___ flags” — flags belonging to many countries → “countries’” (plural possessive). Correct.
All answers match grammar rules.
Final Answer:
1. secretaries’
2. niece’s
3. witnesses
4. nieces’
5. crows
6. crow’s
7. country’s
8. nieces
9. secretary’s
10. libraries
11. countries
12. library’s
13. country’s
14. libraries’
15. countries’
16. hers
17. its
18. theirs
19. ours
20. witnesses’
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of plural possessive worksheet.
