listbeeEndings and word parts
Contractions
A contraction joins two words and replaces the missing letters with an apostrophe. The apostrophe goes where the letters were taken out.
- Sound
- Two words shortened with an apostrophe
- Usually taught
- 1st–3rd grade
- Words on this page
- 20 in 2 lists
Contractions: word lists
Practice a list online (each word is read aloud), or open it in the worksheet maker to print a test, word search, or look-cover-write-check sheet.
Contractions with not
10 words- don't
- can't
- isn't
- didn't
- won't
- wasn't
- aren't
- doesn't
- haven't
- couldn't
Contractions with am, is, are and will
10 words- I'm
- it's
- he's
- she's
- that's
- you're
- we're
- they're
- I'll
- we'll
How the pattern works
The apostrophe marks where letters were left out: do not → don’t (the o in not is gone).
Won’t (will not) and can’t (cannot) are irregular, so practice them as whole words.
It’s means “it is” or “it has.” Its, with no apostrophe, shows that something belongs to it.
Common mistakes
- Putting the apostrophe in the wrong place: “do’nt,” “did’nt.”
- Mixing up homophones: it’s/its, you’re/your, they’re/their/there.
- Leaving the apostrophe out completely: “dont,” “cant.”
Practice ideas
- Write the two full words, then cross out the letters that leave and draw the apostrophe in their place.
- On a phone or tablet, show your child where the apostrophe key is before practice.
Practicing a list from school?
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