Contractions — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Which sentence uses every contraction correctly?
A) We're going because they're late and it's raining.
B) Were going because theyre late and its raining.
C) We're going because their late and its' raining.
D) Were going because they're late and it's raining.
Grade 3 rule: we're, they're, and it's each need the apostrophe for missing letters.
2. The informal contraction couldn't've stands for which three words?
A) could not of
B) could not have
C) could have not
D) could to have
Grade 3 advanced note: couldn't've is informal speech for could not have; only use it casually.
3. Which contraction is the correct short form of there is?
A) theres
B) there's
C) theirs
D) theyr's
Grade 3 contraction there's joins there and is, with the apostrophe before the s.
4. Which sentence has NO contraction errors?
A) Im sure your right about the game.
B) I'm sure you're right about the game.
C) I'm sure your right about the game.
D) Im sure you're right about the game.
Grade 3 rule: I'm needs an apostrophe and you're (you are) is correct, not your.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. Expand the contraction wouldn't to its two words: would not.
Grade 3 rule: wouldn't combines would and not; apostrophe marks the missing o.
2. Rewrite they are not as one contraction plus a word: they aren't not.
Grade 3: while they're not works, they aren't combines are and not into aren't.
3. Fix this incorrect spelling by writing the correct contraction: does'nt → doesn't.
Grade 3 rule: the apostrophe must replace the missing o, making doesn't correct.
4. The contraction what's expands to what is.
Grade 3 contraction what's means what is; do not confuse it with whats (no apostrophe is wrong).
5. Write the contraction for let us: let's.
Grade 3 contraction let's combines let and us; the apostrophe replaces the u in us.