Which sentence uses correct grammar to describe the situation?
three boys brought comic books to class. their teacher has taken all of the books and placed them on her desk.
the boy's comic books are on the teacher's desk.
the boy's comic books are on the teachers' desk.
the boys' comic books are on the teacher's desk.
the boys' comic books are on the teachers' desk.

Hello! Your correct answer is:

The boys' comic books are on the teacher's desk.

the sentence does not violate the phrase structure second rule (introduced by noam chomsky) because noun phrases consist of a determiner such as a, the or every, and a noun. in the sentence, the noun phrase the cake includes a determiner (the) and a noun (cake).

on the other hand, the first rule indicates that a sentence encloses a noun phrase, followed by a verb phrase. the example sentence can be analysed as follows:

john (n) + ate (v) + the (det) + cake (n).