Choose the option that best completes the gap(s) We have known Rose for some years now, she is a friend of ____

Analyze the question: The sentence is "She is a friend of ____." The gap needs a word that shows possession after "of." This is a double possessive (also called a post-genitive).

Explain the concept: In English, when we use "a friend of" to show a relationship, we need the possessive pronoun, not the possessive adjective. The possessive pronouns are:

• mine
• yours
• his / hers
• ours
• theirs

Possessive pronouns never take an apostrophe. This is a common trap in JAMB, as in "its" vs "it's".

Step-by-step solution:

1. "Our" (D) is a possessive adjective. It must be followed by a noun, as in "our friend." Here nothing follows the gap, so "our" is wrong.
2. "Our's" (B) is wrong because possessive pronouns do not use an apostrophe.
3. "Ours'" (C) is also wrong, because it has an apostrophe and does not exist in standard English.
4. "Ours" (A) is the correct possessive pronoun. It stands for "our friends," so the sentence means "she is one of our friends."

Correct sentence: "We have known Rose for some years now, she is a friend of ours."

Answer: A. ours

Exam tip: Remember that possessive pronouns (ours, yours, hers, theirs, its) never take apostrophes. If you see an apostrophe on one of them, eliminate that option. Also, after "a friend of," "a cousin of," or "a colleague of," use the pronoun form: a friend of mine, a friend of theirs, a friend of ours.