Apostrophes and Contractions

True or False: The word 'won't' is the correct contraction for 'will not'.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

'Won't' is an irregular contraction that stands for 'will not'. It's an exception to the usual pattern of forming negative contractions.

Fill in the blank: The cat is cleaning ___ paws.

• it's

• its'

• its

• it is

Answer explanation

The word 'its' is a possessive pronoun used to show ownership. The word 'it's' is a contraction for 'it is' and would not make sense here.

Which sentence correctly uses the word they're?

• The team left they're jackets over there.

• They're excited about the pizza party after school.

• I think their coming with us.

• The books are over they're on the shelf.

Answer explanation

'They're' is a contraction for 'they are' and is used correctly here. The other options confuse it with the possessive 'their' or the location word 'there'.

The contraction 'let's' is the shortened form of which two words?

• let is

• let has

• let us

• let was

Answer explanation

'Let's' is a contraction for 'let us' and is used to make a suggestion. It should not be confused with a possessive form.

Fill in the blank: My older sister ___ like scary movies, but I love them.

• don't

• is'nt

• does'nt

• doesn't

Answer explanation

The subject 'sister' is singular, so it requires the verb 'does'. The correct negative contraction for 'does not' is 'doesn't'.

Fill in the blank: If he ___ studied harder, he would've passed the test.

• 's

• 've

• 'd

• 'll

Answer explanation

This sentence structure describes a past hypothetical situation, which requires the past perfect 'had studied'. The contraction for 'he had' is 'he'd'.

Which of the following sentences is written completely correctly?

• Your going to the party if you're mom says it's okay.

• You're going to the party if your mom says its okay.

• You're going to the party if your mom says it's okay.

• Your going to the party if your mom says it's okay.

Answer explanation

This sentence correctly uses 'You're' (you are), the possessive 'your', and 'it's' (it is). The other options confuse these common homophones.

True or False: To make an email to your principal sound more formal and respectful, you should use contractions like 'I've' and 'don't'.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Contractions are considered informal. In formal writing, like an email to a principal, it is better to write out the full words ('I have', 'do not') to maintain a respectful and professional tone.

In the sentence, My dad's making dinner because he's just gotten home from work, how is the 's used?

• It means 'is' in both parts.

• It means 'has' in both parts.

• It means 'is' first, then 'has'.

• It means 'has' first, then 'is'.

Answer explanation

In 'dad's making,' the 's stands for 'is' (is making). In 'he's just gotten,' the past participle 'gotten' indicates that 's stands for 'has' (has gotten).

Your friend texts you the message, 'I am not sure if they are coming.' How could you best revise this message using two contractions to make it sound more like a casual text?

• I'm not sure if they're coming.

• I am not sure if they're coming.

• I'm not sure if they are coming.

• I am'nt sure if they're coming.

Answer explanation

For a casual, informal tone like a text message, contractions are common. 'I'm' (I am) and 'they're' (they are) are the correct contractions to use.