Question 20

Possessive "-s" is acquired first by English-language learners.

In Brown's 1973 study of morpheme acquisition order, the possessive "-s" morpheme was identified as the first morpheme acquired by English-language learners. This finding highlights the early understanding of ownership concepts in language development.

A) Verbs using "-ing"

The "-ing" verb form is acquired after the possessive "-s." While it is an important morpheme for indicating ongoing actions, it typically appears later in the developmental sequence of morpheme acquisition according to Brown's findings.

B) Verbs using "-ed"

The past tense morpheme "-ed" is also acquired after the possessive "-s." This morpheme relates to completed actions and comes into a child's understanding of verb forms later than possessive structures.

C) Third-person "-s"

The third-person singular "-s" morpheme is acquired after the possessive "-s." This shows the progression of understanding subject-verb agreement in language development, which occurs subsequent to mastering possessive forms.

D) Possessive "-s"

The possessive "-s" is the first morpheme acquired by English-language learners, as indicated by Brown's research. This illustrates that learners grasp the concept of possession early in their language development.

Conclusion

The possessive "-s" is definitively the first morpheme acquired, reflecting early cognitive associations with ownership. All other options, including the verb forms and third-person morpheme, are acquired later, demonstrating a clear sequence in language development as outlined in Brown's study.