Contractions Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: L.2.2.C

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

Contractions are basically the short form of writing two words together with the help of an apostrophe ('). Common examples include: I'm, it's, we're, and they're. Contractions are commonly used in all types of informal writing and we often use them in speech. They are seen as slang, to some extent, so you won't see them used in formal writing forms. These worksheets will have students create their own use of contractions and they will also decide on alternatives to them.

Contraction Worksheets To Print:

Identifying Opportunities for Contractions – Where in the world does that apostrophe belong?

Find the Contractions – A simple seek and mark activity.

Contractions Circles – We've got some spelling issues here.

Identifying Contractions – The example should really solidify the directions for students.

What Are Contractions? – It is neat to match what a contraction actually says to remind students of languages purpose.

Create the Contractions – In the sentences below, you will turn the words within the ( ) into contractions.

Determine the Words from Contractions – Determine the words that formed the contraction.

Identifying Boxed Contractions – The following are contractions and the words that the contractions are from. Directions: Fill in the empty boxes to match the words or contractions.

See the Contractions – Contractions are words that have been shortened from other words. Examples of contractions that begin with the letter S are provided below.

Matching the Words and Contractions – You will see that some of the contractions are missing their words and some of the words need their contraction.

Writing Contractions – Write the contractions for the following words. The contraction for the first set of words had been provided.

Color the Correct Contraction – In the circles below, there is one correct contraction in each row. Color the correct contraction.

Correct the Contractions – There are contractions in the following sentences. However, these contractions are incorrectly spelled.

Empty Contractions – In the empty boxes, fill in the contraction or words to match the boxes directly above the empty box.

Underline the Contractions – In the passages below, underline all the contractions you find.

Words Into Contractions – Write the contraction for each group of words.

Time to Be the Teacher – Correct the contractions in each sentence. Write the two words that form the contractions.

Sentence Based Contractions – You should quickly be able to see what is happening here.

Sentence Formations – Write the two words that form the contractions.

Insert the Apostrophe – Place apostrophes where they are missing in the sentences below. Placement is key here.

Messed Up – Insert apostrophes where needed.

Long Sentence Apostrophes – These sentences would be super long, without your help.

Missing Apostrophes In Long Sentences – No directions needed at all. Do your thing!

What's It Mean? - Tell us what each word means.

Replacements - Rewrite each sentence below. Replace the underlined words.

Convert Words - Smash all these words together to get more out of them for yourself.

Meaning - Give meaning to the words that you see in the sentences.

Sentence Fills - Change the words in the parentheses.

In Practice - We practice changing the words and locating words in sentences.

Correct It - This is a quick proofreading activity.

Proper Nouns - Let's practice how we use these with specific names for things.

Pop Ins - Think of a word that would complete each sentences well.

Choosy - Which word would best find the sentences. Note they are not the same words.

Your vs. You're - One is the second person possessive and the other in a mix of two words.

Make Underlines - Underline them and use the word box.

Match Made - Match the phrases to the words.

Quiz Time - A good way to see where you stand with this skill.

Together and Apart - Use an apostrophe to combine the words. Remove the apostrophe and write the full words.

Deconstruction - Break these down and tell what they mean.

Practice - Replace each of the underlined words.

Word Sets - Which word best fits the word problems.

Huh? - What is the meaning of the word that is underlined.

Floating Puppy - Chelp the puppy smooth this one out.

Skill Review - We take a look at this skill from all types of different angles.

Missing Apostrophe - Which words are missing it?

Be The Teacher - Are these correct or incorrect?

Inserts - Insert the apostrophe to correct each sentence.

Past Weekend - Write a paragraph about what you did this past weekend.

Your and You're - We give you another shot at one of the most common difficulties that students have with this topic.

Word Packs - We explore how to condense three-word phrases using this skill.

Match-up - Match the word to its meaning.

Sentence Writing - Write a sentence that uses each of these properly.

Pictures to Sentences - Write a sentence about each picture.

Related Worksheet Topics:

Modal Auxiliaries - This is very often the foundational word.

Using Apostrophes - Learn how they relate to words like these and others.

Why are Contractions Important to Understand?

Even though they are simply a shortened form of phrases, in most case, in normal speech they can give new learners difficultly in conversations. Properly using them in dialogue demonstrates a higher level of proficiency and fluency. In addition to just demonstrating your ability with the language, contractions help us add a higher degree of emphasis to words and makes our language more personal. An easy way to spot this is in the simple sentence: "Do not do it!" When we convert this to a contraction (Don't do it!) it become much snappier and easier to spot as a command rather than a request. While they help us be more specific with our speech, it can deter our writing this is why one use it informal or causal writing. You will find that they make their way into formal speech settings but are not overused in that venue.


Multi-form Words That Often Confuse Students

Every contraction is formed with the use of an apostrophe. Knowing, for certain, the proper location of this apostrophe is difficult for many students. There is a simple trick you can use though. Since contractions are made by plopping two words together. If we put the two words together (almost like a compound word) the apostrophe takes the place of any letters that don't appear in the contraction, but appeared in the original word itself. For example: If we formed a contraction from can not (can't), the apostrophe takes the place of the "no" the letters that no longer appear in contraction.


A common miscue is the different uses of "its" and the contraction "it's". "Its" is used as a possessive pronoun to show ownership of the noun that it modifies. The contraction "it's" is used in place of the words "it is" or "it has". Another often confusing word series is the usage of "they're", "there", and "their". The contraction form "they're" is used only as a replacement for "they are". The word "their" is used to display possession. "There" is used to pinpoint a location or placement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Identifying Boxed Contractions Preview