Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence.
A computer can’t function without it’s mother board.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1 i.e. its.
Error concept: Possessive pronoun vs. contraction
What is wrong: The phrase 'it’s' is a contraction of it is or it has, not the possessive form.
Grammatical concept:
'Its' (without apostrophe) is the possessive pronoun used to show ownership.
'It’s' (with apostrophe) is a contraction and not used to show possession.
Incorrectness of the concept in context: We are given a sentence with a possessive context where we need to use the correct form of a pronoun. Since the sentence talks about the motherboard belonging to the computer, the possessive form 'its' should be used.
How to correct: Replace 'it’s' with 'its' to show possession.
Correction: its motherboard
Final sentence: A computer can’t function without its motherboard.