Contractions Cheat Sheet (PDF)

How two words squeeze into one, grouped by type, with the apostrophe marking what's missing.

What’s inside

• not contractions (don't, can't, isn't, wasn't, didn't) and am / is / are contractions (I'm, he's, she's, we're, they're).
• will contractions (I'll, you'll, we'll, they'll) and have / has contractions (I've, you've, he's, we've).
• question-word contractions (what's, here's, there's, who's) and let's.

Every word in this PDF (22)

Handy for checking the list fits your child before printing, or for making your own games.

don't, can't, isn't, wasn't, didn't, i'm, he's, she's, we're, they're, i'll, you'll, we'll, they'll, i've, you've, we've, what's, here's, there's, who's, let's

How to use it

1. Write the two full words, then cover the missing letters with the apostrophe.
2. Do one group per session.
3. Hunt for contractions in a picture book and read them as the two full words.
4. Point out he's can mean he is or he has.

Watch out for

• He's can mean he is or he has — read the sentence to decide.
• Won't (will not) and can't don't follow the usual pattern; treat them as words to remember.
• Children often put the apostrophe where the words join (did'nt); it goes where letters are missing (didn't).

Who it’s for

Ages 6–9.

Where it fits: Stage 5 — Vowel Teams & Tricky Words

Goes well with

• Tricky Words List (Free PDF): Phase 2 to 5 Words