Vocabulary Worksheet · Grades 2–4
Contractions Worksheet
A printable vocabulary worksheet for grades 2-4 on contractions: a contraction shortens two words into one, with an apostrophe standing for the missing letters. Students write the contraction for eight word pairs, then expand six contractions back to two words. A complete answer key is included.
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Subject
Vocabulary
Grades
Grades 2–4
Skill Focus
Contractions, word formation
Lesson Length
15 minutes
Lesson Overview
About this worksheet
A contraction is a short way to write two words as one, with an apostrophe taking the place of the letters left out – do not becomes don’t, I am becomes I’m. The meaning stays the same; the word just gets shorter. This worksheet gives students practice both forming contractions and taking them apart, plus a note on the it’s-versus-its trap.
Section A gives eight word pairs (can not, she is, we are, they will, was not, you have, he would, are not) and asks students to write the contraction for each, covering the not, is/are, will, have, and would patterns. The reference box teaches the apostrophe rule with do-not and I-am examples not reused in any item, and flags the it’s-versus-its difference.
Section B reverses the task: students expand six contractions (didn’t, I’ll, we’ve, isn’t, you’re, they’d) back into the two words they stand for. Page 3 is a complete answer key. Knowing contractions both ways helps students read fluently and punctuate correctly.
How to Use This Lesson
Read the reference box aloud and show how the apostrophe replaces the missing letters in don’t.
Complete Section A independently – remind students the apostrophe goes where letters were removed.
Work Section B item 9 together: didn’t expands to did not.
Use the answer key on page 3 for self-check or teacher review.
Pair with the Compound Words Worksheet or the Apostrophes Worksheet for a word-formation mini-unit.
Printable Resource
A classroom-ready PDF with everything in one printable resource.
Full Member Resource · Printable PDF · 3 pages · Answer Key
Contractions Worksheet
A printable vocabulary worksheet for grades 2-4 on contractions: a contraction shortens two words into one, with an apostrophe standing for the missing letters. Students write the contraction for eight word pairs, then expand six contractions back to two words. A complete answer key is included.
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