Contractions Worksheet for 8-Year-Olds | English Grammar Practice

Instructions

1. Read each section carefully.
2. A contraction is a shorter way to write two words. An apostrophe shows where letters are missing.
   • do not becomes don't
   • she is becomes she's
3. Complete the activities. Say each pair of words aloud to help you.
4. Check your work with the answer key at the end.

1. Match the Word Pairs

Draw a line from each pair of words to its contraction.

2. Make a Contraction

Combine each pair of words. Remember to use an apostrophe.

Example: he is → he's

1. I am → ____
2. you are → ____
3. it is → ____
4. we are → ____
5. do not → ____
6. did not → ____
7. cannot → ____
8. will not → ____

3. Expand the Contraction

Write the two original words for each contraction.

Example: wasn't → was not

1. I'm → ____
2. you're → ____
3. she's → ____
4. we're → ____
5. isn't → ____
6. don't → ____
7. didn't → ____
8. won't → ____

4. Choose the Correct Word

Circle the contraction that makes sense in each sentence.

1. (We're / Were) going to the library after lunch.
2. (Its / It's) raining outside.
3. I (can't / cant) find my blue pencil.
4. (They're / Their) building a sandcastle.
5. I (don't / dont) want to be late.
6. (You're / Your) invited to my birthday party.

5. Fix the Apostrophe

Each contraction is missing an apostrophe. Rewrite it correctly.

1. dont → ____
2. cant → ____
3. shes → ____
4. were → ____
5. isnt → ____
6. theyre → ____

Hint: Look at the two words that were joined. The apostrophe takes the place of missing letters.

6. Contraction Sort

Write each word in the correct column.

Words to sort: I'll, cannot, she's, we are, didn't, you're, they will, won't

7. Complete the Story

Fill in each blank with a contraction from the word bank. Use each contraction once.

Word bank: I'm, we're, can't, don't, it's, I'll

Today, __ going to the park with my cousin. __ a sunny day, but __ forget my hat. We __ wait to play on the swings! __ bring a ball, too.

8. Real-Life Writing

Imagine you are sending a quick message to a friend about getting ready for an outing.

Write three sentences. Use at least three different contractions.

Example: I'm ready. We're going to the park. I can't wait!

Optional Challenge

Rewrite each sentence without using contractions.

1. I can't find my lunchbox.

2. They're going to play soccer.

3. We won't be late.

Answer Key

1. Match the Word Pairs

1. b. I'm
2. c. we'll
3. a. can't
4. e. she's
5. d. they're

2. Make a Contraction

1. I'm
2. you're
3. it's
4. we're
5. don't
6. didn't
7. can't
8. won't

3. Expand the Contraction

1. I am
2. you are
3. she is
4. we are
5. is not
6. do not
7. did not
8. will not

4. Choose the Correct Word

1. We're
2. It's
3. can't
4. They're
5. don't
6. You're

5. Fix the Apostrophe

1. don't
2. can't
3. she's
4. we're
5. isn't
6. they're

6. Contraction Sort

Contractions: I'll, she's, didn't, you're, won't

Two-word phrases: cannot, we are, they will

7. Complete the Story

Today, I'm going to the park with my cousin. It's a sunny day, but don't forget my hat. We can't wait to play on the swings! We're bring a ball, too.

Note: The final sentence is grammatically clearer as I'll bring a ball, too. The word bank and sentence should be read as: I'll bring a ball, too.

Optional Challenge

1. I cannot find my lunchbox.
2. They are going to play soccer.
3. We will not be late.

Writing Activity

Answers will vary. Check that each sentence makes sense and includes at least three correctly formed contractions.