What's the most common contraction mistake?

Leaving the apostrophe out entirely (dont, cant), with the misplaced apostrophe (do'nt) close behind. The test-style sheet uses both as wrong choices 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.

3rd grade contractions

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.

Each print is a different sheet with its own answer key. You don't need to sign up.

The kind of sentences you'll fix

Write the contraction for each word pair.

they + will =
Fixed: they’ll
is + not =
could + not =

Every print pulls a new set of sentences at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling gets a different mix.

What's on a 3rd grade sheet

3rd grade sheets draw from 80 sentences, 8 to a page. All 60 of 2nd grade's sentences are here too, plus 20 more. 2nd grade sheets print 7 to a page.

Some of the words:

can’tdoesn’twon’tLet’sWe’rearen’tweren’tYou’reYou’llshe’s

Fix it. Write the contraction for each word pair. 8 sentences to fix per page.
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 3rd grade contractions

What's the most common contraction mistake?: Leaving the apostrophe out entirely (dont, cant), with the misplaced apostrophe (do'nt) close behind. The test-style sheet uses both as wrong choices 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

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Aligned to Common Core L.2.2.c. Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 241, updated October 2026.

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