Contractions — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. It's almost time for dinner.
Grade 3: it's is the contraction for it is; the apostrophe replaces the i in is.
2. The cat licked its paws clean.
Grade 3 rule: possessive its never uses an apostrophe, unlike the contraction it's.
3. You're not supposed to run in the hall.
Grade 3 contraction you're means you are; your shows possession.
4. Did you bring your water bottle today?
Grade 3: your is a possessive pronoun, not a contraction; no apostrophe is needed.
5. We know they're our best friends.
Grade 3 contraction they're shortens they are; apostrophe replaces the a.
6. I left my pencil over there.
Grade 3: there points to a location and is not a contraction or possessive.
7. The students raised their hands to answer.
Grade 3: their is a possessive pronoun that does not use an apostrophe.
8. Whose book did you borrow from the shelf?
Grade 3: whose asks who owns something; who's means who is.
9. Who's going to feed the class hamster?
Grade 3 contraction who's means who is; do not confuse with whose.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
its
→ possessive for it
possessive for it
their
→ possessive for them
possessive for them
your
→ possessive for you
possessive for you
whose
→ asks who owns it
asks who owns it
Grade 3 rule: possessive pronouns its, their, your, and whose show ownership without an apostrophe.