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Bonobo

(29,257 posts)
Fri Feb 8, 2013, 01:22 AM Feb 2013

A Short Grammar Quiz (Home-made) Test yourself!

Okay, a grammar quiz: Choose two. (Hint: Each person is punching with just one arm)

A) Bob's and Frank's fist smashed into the wall.
B) Bob and Frank's fist smashed into the wall.
C) Bob's and Frank's fists smashed into the wall.
D) Bob and Frank's fists smashed into the wall.
---------
E) Bob's and my fist smashed into the wall.
F) Bob and my fist smashed into the wall.
G) Bob's and my fists smashed into the wall.
H) Bob and my fists smashed into the wall.

15 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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A Short Grammar Quiz (Home-made) Test yourself! (Original Post) Bonobo Feb 2013 OP
C and G for me. cyberswede Feb 2013 #1
+1 nt NYC_SKP Feb 2013 #2
It's hard... Bonobo Feb 2013 #3
Your grammar source has a grammar error! Honeycombe8 Feb 2013 #9
On second thought, I think you are right about C, but I still stick with E. Bonobo Feb 2013 #5
I agree. Arkansas Granny Feb 2013 #10
None of the above: punching with just one arm is the wrong way to petronius Feb 2013 #4
D) Bob and Frank's fists smashed into the wall. Ptah Feb 2013 #6
Well, yeah, that is an option. Bonobo Feb 2013 #7
A and E. Honeycombe8 Feb 2013 #8
Why do Bob and Frank hate their wall? In_The_Wind Feb 2013 #11
C and G. Those of you with other choices: back to school. RILib Feb 2013 #12
Good to know. I'm prepared to impress, when this comes up at work. nt Honeycombe8 Feb 2013 #13
Thanks. Seems you must be right. Bonobo Feb 2013 #14
Bob and Frank enroll in an anger management program. retread Feb 2013 #15

Bonobo

(29,257 posts)
3. It's hard...
Fri Feb 8, 2013, 01:43 AM
Feb 2013

I am leaning towards B and E.

The only problem I am having is whether to use "fist" or "fists" for the Bob and Frank's structure.

But I am sure that your choice of B is wrong because the rules are pretty clear about only using an apostrophe for the second name.

http://www.meredith.edu/grammar/plural.htm

Honeycombe8

(37,648 posts)
9. Your grammar source has a grammar error!
Fri Feb 8, 2013, 02:51 AM
Feb 2013

It says, "Tim and Bethany share the same wedding invitation, whereas Courtney and Mem each have their own grade point averages."

That's incorrect, I'm pretty sure. When using "each," the subject is considered singular, so verb would be singular. It should be, "Tim and Bethany share the same wedding invitation, whereas Courtney and Mem each has his own grade point average."

petronius

(26,581 posts)
4. None of the above: punching with just one arm is the wrong way to
Fri Feb 8, 2013, 01:46 AM
Feb 2013

attack a wall. Two fist, or go home!

Honeycombe8

(37,648 posts)
8. A and E.
Fri Feb 8, 2013, 02:43 AM
Feb 2013

Thinking:
Bob's fist smashed into the wall, and Frank's fist smashed into the wall (so it's Bob's and Frank's fist smashed into the wall)

Bob's fist smashed into the wall, and my fist smashed into the wall (so it's Bob's and my fist smashed into the wall).

But I'm not sure. ???

Reading up on this, it looks like it should be:

C: Bob's and Frank's fists ...

Unsure about teh second one.

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