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, aligned to Common Core L.2.2.c. One skill per page, answer key on page two.
Every sheet is one of a kind and prints with a version code, so you can reprint the exact same one later. New version every click.
The kind of sentences you'll get
Circle the letter of the correctly written contraction.
-
The goalie ______ reach the corner kick in time.
could'nt · couldnt · couldn't
Answer: couldn't
- The trail markers ______ visible through the thick fog. weren't · werent · were'nt
- ______ like to enter my mosaic in the county fair. Id · Id' · I'd
Every print draws a fresh mix of sentences at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling gets a different 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
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.
Related worksheets
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One page, answer key included. A fresh version every time you click.
Aligned to Common Core L.2.2.c. Reviewed by the One More Sheet curriculum team. Content version 68, updated July 2026.