4th grade contractions worksheets

By 4th grade, contractions are mostly review with sharper edges: the would/should/could family (shouldn't, wouldn't), the irregular won't, and the it's/its fork, where the apostrophe marks a contraction rather than ownership. Precision here pays off directly in writing.

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.

  1. The hikers cross the creek after the heavy rain. could’nt · couldn’t · couldnt

    Answer: couldn’t

  2. Does anyone know conducting the spring concert? who’s · whos’ · whos
  3. The beekeepers think found the queen in the lower hive. they’ve · theyve · theyv’e

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

Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key on the last page.

How to teach this

Two conversations carry this grade. First, won't: it's the one contraction that changed its spelling on the way, and kids enjoy the history. Second, it's versus its: the apostrophe means "it is," full stop. A 4th grader who runs the expansion test out of habit has outgrown the most common punctuation error in adult writing.

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 is "it's" different from "its"?
It's always means "it is" (or "it has"): it's raining. Its shows ownership: the dog wagged its tail. The expansion test settles every case; if "it is" fits, use the apostrophe. This pair also appears in our commonly confused words worksheets for extra reps.
Are contractions okay in school writing?
In most writing, yes; they're standard English, not slang. Formal assignments sometimes ask students to avoid them, which is a style choice, not a grammar rule. Knowing how to expand any contraction makes switching registers effortless.

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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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