Contractions
A contraction squeezes two words into one and leaves an apostrophe as the receipt: do not becomes don't, I am becomes I'm, they are becomes they're. The apostrophe is not decoration - it marks exactly where letters were dropped.
This page uses the basic contractions list from our Grade 1 spelling curriculum: I'm, you're, he's, she's, it's, can't, don't, we'll, that's, and they're. These are among the most frequent words children read and write, which is why they are taught so early.
Contractions are also where two of the most famous spelling confusions in English live: it's versus its, and they're versus their and there. Getting the apostrophe logic right in Grade 1 pays off for years.
The rule
A contraction joins two words and replaces the dropped letters with an apostrophe: do not becomes don't, I am becomes I'm, we will becomes we'll. The apostrophe sits exactly where the missing letters used to be.
Contractions by grade, from our curriculum
These are the exact lists our K-6 spelling curriculum teaches. Every list links to free online practice and printable worksheets - no account needed.
Basic Contractions
Grade 1- I'm
- you're
- he's
- she's
- it's
- can't
- don't
- we'll
- that's
- they're
How the pattern works
The apostrophe's job here is to mark missing letters, not possession. In don't it stands in for the o of not; in I'm it stands in for the a of am; in we'll it replaces the wi of will; in she's it stands in for the i of is, and in they're, the a of are. Showing children the two original words makes the placement logical instead of memorized.
One famous contraction breaks the pattern: will not becomes won't, not "willn't". It is centuries old and simply has to be learned as its own word.
The pair that matters most is it's and its. It's with an apostrophe always means it is (or it has). Its without an apostrophe is possessive, like his and hers - and like his and hers, it takes no apostrophe. If you can replace the word with "it is", the apostrophe belongs there.
Common mistakes to watch for
- Dropping the apostrophe entirely ("dont", "cant") - the most common early error; the word looks close enough that young writers stop checking.
- Putting the apostrophe at the join instead of where letters dropped ("do'nt" for don't) - fixed by writing out the two original words first.
- Using it's for possession ("the dog wagged it's tail") - the single most common apostrophe error in English, at every age.
- Mixing they're with their and there - a contraction problem and a homophone problem at once; teaching "they're = they are" resolves it.
Example sentences
- I'm - I'm bringing my library book back today.
- can't - We can't start until everyone sits down.
- don't - Please don't forget your water bottle.
- we'll - After lunch we'll practice our spelling words.
- they're - They're waiting for us by the gate.
Taught in Grade 1 in our curriculum, because these ten contractions are among the most frequent words children meet in real books. The apostrophe-marks-missing-letters idea is the foundation for every contraction that follows.
Frequently asked questions
What is a contraction?
Two words joined into one, with an apostrophe replacing the dropped letters: do not becomes don't, I am becomes I'm, they are becomes they're.
Where does the apostrophe go in a contraction?
Exactly where the missing letters used to be, not at the join: don't (the o of not dropped), we'll (the wi of will dropped). Writing out the two original words shows the spot.
What is the difference between it's and its?
It's with an apostrophe always means it is or it has. Its without an apostrophe shows possession, like his and hers. The test: if you can say "it is" in the sentence, use it's.
Why is won't spelled that way?
Will not contracts to won't, an old irregular form that survived from earlier English. It is the one common contraction that cannot be built from its two words, so it is taught as its own word.
Turn these lists into practice in one click
Free spelling games, tests, and printables for every list above - built for K-6 classrooms and home practice. No signup, no cost.