Question

Choose the option that best corrects the sentence:
Shakespeare and Milton's poems are essential readings for a literature class.

• A. NO CHANGE
• B. Shakespeare's and Milton's poems are essential readings for a literature class.
• C. Shakespeares and Miltons poems are essential readings for a literature class.
• D. Shakespeares' and Miltons' poems are essential readings for a literature class.

Answer 1

The correct option is B Shakespeare's and Milton's poems are essential readings for a literature class.

Apostrophe indicates possession.

Apostrophe is used with nouns in two ways:

1. Apostrophe before 's' – to show possession with a singular noun or a plural noun that does not end in ‘s’
2. Apostrophe after 's'- to show possession with a plural noun which ends with 's'

According to the rules above, options C and D are wrong.
When there is more than one noun and the possession is unshared, we place the 's after each noun. Hence, the right answer is option B.