2nd grade contractions worksheets
A contraction is two words squeezed into one, with an apostrophe holding the spot where letters fell out: is not becomes isn't. Second graders read them, spell them, and park the apostrophe exactly where the missing letters lived.
Free printable PDF worksheet, aligned to Common Core L.2.2.c.
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The kind of sentences you'll get
Circle the letter of the correctly written contraction.
-
The paint jar open.
won’t · wo’nt · wont
Answer: won’t
- Jin and Rosa said coming to the picnic. they’re · theyr’e · theyre
- The tomatoes are red, so ready to pick. theyr’e · they’re · theyre
Every print pulls a fresh set of sentences at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling never gets the same sheet.
What's on each sheet
- Choose the word. Circle the letter of the correctly written contraction. 8 questions per page.
Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key on the last page.
How to teach this
Make the squeeze physical: write "do not" on paper, cross out the o, and drop the apostrophe into the hole it left. That one image, the apostrophe as a placeholder for missing letters, prevents the do'nt error before it starts. Practice expanding contractions back out loud, too; it's the check kids will use forever.
Watch for: The apostrophe marks the missing letters, not the joint between words. That's why it's don't, never do'nt. Won't is the rebel: will not should give willn't, but English long ago settled on won't instead.
Common questions about contractions
- How do I explain where the apostrophe goes?
- It marks the exact spot where letters disappeared. In don't, the o of not dropped out, so the apostrophe sits between n and t. Have your child write the two words, cross out the vanishing letters, and place the apostrophe in the gap; the rule teaches itself.
- Which contractions should a 2nd grader learn first?
- The not-family (don't, isn't, can't, didn't) plus I'm, it's, and let's. Those cover most of what they'll meet in books at this level. The rarer would/should/could contractions can wait for 3rd and 4th grade.
Related worksheets
- 3rd grade contractions A step harder, same skill
- 4th grade contractions A step harder, same skill
- 2nd grade commas in dates Same grade, nearby skill
- 2nd grade commas in letters Same grade, nearby skill
- 2nd grade commas in a series Same grade, nearby skill
- Contractions, all grades The full progression
- All 2nd grade English worksheets Every skill at this level
- All 2nd grade worksheets Everything at this level
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Aligned to Common Core L.2.2.c. Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 137, updated August 2026.
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