Proper Usage of Possessive Nouns in English Grammar

What is the correct form of the underlined word in the sentence below?

The dog groomer handles each persons pet in a gentle, careful manner.

Final answer:

The correct form of the underlined word should be 'A. person's' as it shows possession, indicating that the pet belongs to a single individual. Proper use of possessive nouns aids in clear communication and supports gender-neutral language.

Explanation:

The correct form of the underlined word in the sentence 'The dog groomer handles each persons pet in a gentle, careful manner.' is A. person's. This is because we are referring to a pet belonging to a single person, so the possessive form 'person's' is required to show ownership. In English grammar, possessive nouns are formed by adding an apostrophe followed by the letter 's' (except for plural nouns that already end in 's').

In the context of dog grooming, domestication, and the relationship between humans and animals, it is essential to use the correct possessive forms to communicate clearly about ownership or association. For example, we would say 'the dog's face', 'the dog's fur', or 'its owner' when referring to things that belong to or are associated with the dog.

Understanding the correct usage of possessive nouns also helps avoid gender bias by using gender-neutral language, such as 'each person's pet' instead of assuming the gender of the pet owner.