3rd grade contractions worksheets
Contractions shorten word pairs (did not, you are, let us) into everyday forms (didn't, you're, let's). Third graders spell the full set confidently and catch the two classic errors: the missing apostrophe (dont) and the wandering one (do'nt).
Free printable PDF worksheet, aligned to Common Core L.2.2.c.
A new sheet every click.
The kind of sentences you'll get
Circle the letter of the correctly written contraction.
-
The snow stick because the ground was too warm.
would’nt · wouldnt · wouldn’t
Answer: wouldn’t
- race to the swings! Lets’ · Lets · Let’s
- getting dark, so we lit the campfire. Its · It’s · Its’
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. 10 questions per page.
Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key on the last page.
How to teach this
Run the expansion test on every item: say the two full words in the sentence and confirm they fit. Then drill the apostrophe's address: it goes where letters left, so isn't parks it after the n, not before. Sorting a mixed list into not-family, am/are/is-family, and will-family contractions makes the system visible.
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
- What's the most common contraction mistake?
- Leaving the apostrophe out entirely (dont, cant), with the misplaced apostrophe (do'nt) close behind. Both appear as wrong choices on these worksheets on purpose, so students practice spotting them the way they'll need to when editing their own writing.
- Why is "won't" spelled that way?
- Will not should logically give willn't, but English speakers centuries ago used "woll" alongside "will," and won't is the survivor. It's the one contraction kids simply memorize, and the story makes the memorizing easier.
Related worksheets
- 2nd grade contractions A step easier, same skill
- 4th grade contractions A step harder, same skill
- 3rd grade commas in letters Same grade, nearby skill
- 3rd grade commas in a series Same grade, nearby skill
- 3rd grade quotation marks in dialogue Same grade, nearby skill
- Contractions, all grades The full progression
- All 3rd grade English worksheets Every skill at this level
- All 3rd 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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