Contractions — Answer Key
Part A: Sort the Words
Sort each word or number into the correct category box.
1.
Shortens 'not'
can'twon'tisn't Shortens 'will/is/are'
it'swe'reI'll Some contractions shrink 'not' while others shrink helping words like will, is, or are.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The contraction 'can't' means can not.
Can't is short for can not, with the apostrophe replacing the missing letters.
2. The contraction 'they're' means they are.
They're shortens they are, with the apostrophe replacing the 'a' in are.
3. The contraction 'I'll' means I will.
I'll joins I and will, with the apostrophe replacing 'wi' from will.
4. The contraction 'we're' means we are.
We're shortens we are, with the apostrophe replacing the 'a' in are.
5. The contraction 'you'll' means you will.
You'll joins you and will, with the apostrophe replacing 'wi' from will.
Part C: True or False?
Read each statement. Circle True or False.
1. The contraction 'it's' means 'it is'.
True False
It's is the short form of it is, with the apostrophe replacing the missing 'i'.
2. The contraction 'they're' means 'their'.
True False
They're means they are, while their is a different word that shows ownership.
3. The contraction 'won't' stands for 'will not'.
True False
Won't is the special contraction for will not, so the letters do not match up exactly.
4. The word 'were' is the same as 'we're'.
True False
Were is the past tense of are, but we're is the short form of we are.