Choose the sentence that correctly applies the rules of compound noun possessives.

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A My commander-in-chief's orders were executed immediately by all battalions.
B My commanders-in-chief's orders were executed immediately by all battalions.
C My commander's-in-chief orders were executed immediately by all battalions.
D My commander-in-chief orders' were executed immediately by all battalions.

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Answer: A. My commander-in-chief's orders were executed immediately by all battalions.

Correct Answer: a) My commander-in-chief's orders were executed immediately by all battalions.
Explanation: To form the plural of a hyphenated compound noun, you add "-s" to the principal word (commanders-in-chief). However, to form the possessive case, the apostrophe-s must always go at the very end of the entire phrase (commander-in-chief's).

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Choose the sentence that correctly applies the rules of compound noun possessives.

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