---
title: "Spelling Contracted Forms"
description: "Spell contracted forms correctly by placing the apostrophe where letters are omitted (can't, didn't, I'll, it's, etc.)"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/spelling-contracted-forms-mt_IntmJBg4VQ
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/spelling-contracted-forms-mt_IntmJBg4VQ.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Spelling Contracted Forms

Spell contracted forms correctly by placing the apostrophe where letters are omitted (can't, didn't, I'll, it's, etc.)

Subject: English · Area: Spelling & Word Study · Ages 6 to 7
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/spelling-contracted-forms-mt_IntmJBg4VQ

## Ready when they can

- Write 'can't' for 'cannot', 'didn't' for 'did not' with apostrophe correctly placed
- Distinguish 'it's' (it is) from 'its' (possessive) in a sentence
- Expand a contraction back to its full form and explain which letters are missing

## Lesson: Writing contractions with apostrophes

A contraction squeezes two words into one shorter word. You have read don't. Now you will spell it. When letters disappear, an apostrophe (') sits in their exact spot to show something is missing.

*(drawing: "did not" becomes "didn't." The o in not disappears, and the apostrophe takes its exact place.)*

**Example.** Mia wants to write "cannot" as a contraction. She joins can and not, drops the letters n and o, and puts an apostrophe right where they used to be: can't.

"It's" with an apostrophe means "it is": It's raining. "Its" with no apostrophe shows something belongs to it: The dog wagged its tail. They sound the same but mean different things.

**Tip.** Say the two full words in your head first. Find exactly where letters go missing, then put the apostrophe right there, not just anywhere in the word.

**Recap.** An apostrophe stands in for missing letters, right where they were removed, not just anywhere.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Segmenting words into sounds](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/segmenting-words-into-sounds-mt_BhYJZUsErp)
- [Reading Contractions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/reading-contractions-mt_t1JXeNgKcu)

## Opens up

- [Apostrophes: Contraction and Possession](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/apostrophes-contraction-and-possession-mt_mKAZTqItRG)
- [Apostrophes for possession](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/apostrophes-for-possession-mt_Z3G_97fnha)