Study Guide
Apostrophes Made Simple
Explains the two jobs an apostrophe does: showing that letters are missing (contractions) and showing that something belongs to someone…
- Difficulty
- Level 2 · Standard
- Time
- 15 min
WorksheetYear 4Level 1 · Easier
Free Year 4 Apostrophes for Contractions Worksheet
Students learn that a contraction squeezes two words into one, with an apostrophe marking where letters have been left out. They form contractions, expand them back into two words, and check the rules. Contractions are everywhere in dialogue and informal writing, and knowing exactly where the apostrophe goes prevents a very common error.
Instant download · No sign-up · Free for personal, classroom and homeschool use
- Year
- Year 4
- Subject
- English
- Topic
- Punctuation
- Difficulty
- Level 1 · Easier
- Estimated time
- 15 minutes
- Curriculum
- Australian Curriculum
- Questions
- 19
- Answers
- Included, with working
- Format
- PDF (A4) + print
Students will practise
- forming contractions with an apostrophe
- expanding contractions into full words
- placing the apostrophe where letters are missing
- using contractions in writing
Curriculum: Australian Curriculum. We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.
What's next?
Completed: Apostrophes for Contractions
How to use this worksheet
- Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
- Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
- Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
- Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.
Common questions
Who is this worksheet for?
Year 4 students (typically ages 9–10) working on punctuation. It is pitched at level 1 · easier; a harder version is linked above.
Are the answers included?
Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.
How long does it take?
About 15 minutes for 19 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.
Do I need to sign up to download?
No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.
What should we do next?
Try Apostrophes for Possession.
Preview
Year 4 · English · Punctuation
Apostrophes for Contractions
Success Tutoring
Student name:
Date:
Score: /
The apostrophe goes exactly where the missing letters were.
Part A — Make the contraction
A contraction joins two words and uses an apostrophe (') to show where letters are missing. Write the contraction.
1.do not →
2.I am →
3.she will →
4.cannot →
5.they are →
6.we have →
7.it is →
8.would not →
Part B — What does it stand for?
Circle the two words that make each contraction.
9.What does won't stand for?
- Awill not
- Bwould not
- Cwant not
- Dwas not
10.What does let's stand for?
- Alet is
- Blet us
- Clets
- Dlet has
11.What does I've stand for?
- AI give
- BI live
- CI have
- DI will
12.What does shouldn't stand for?
- Ashould not
- Bshould have
- Cshould it
- Dshall not
Part C — Write it out in full
Rewrite each sentence with the contractions written as full words.
13.We can't find the keys, so we'll look again.
14.It's late and I haven't finished.
15.They're coming because she's driving.
Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.
More Year 4 punctuation resources
- Worksheet
Apostrophes for Possession
Students learn to use an apostrophe to show that something belongs to someone: 's for one owner, s' for more than one owner ending in s,…
- Difficulty
- Level 2 · Standard
- Time
- 18 min
- Questions
- 15 questions
- Answers
- Answers included
Punctuation in other year levels
- Speech Marks
Worksheet · Year 3 · Punctuation · Level 2 · Standard
- Commas: Lists and Pauses
Worksheet · Year 3 · Punctuation · Level 2 · Standard
- Apostrophes: Plurals, Owners and Common Mistakes
Worksheet · Year 5 · Punctuation · Level 2 · Standard
- Commas for Clauses and Extra Information
Worksheet · Year 5 · Punctuation · Level 2 · Standard
Was this resource helpful?
About this resource
- Created by
- Success Tutoring
- Last reviewed
- 1 October 2026
- How it was made
- Written by our team
Free to print and share for personal, classroom and homeschool use. Please don't resell. Spotted an error? Let us know.