Contractions vs. Possessive Pronouns { Common Misuse of Similar-Sounding Words What is a contraction? What is a contraction? A single word made by combining two other words using an apostrophe: ‘ What is a possessive pronoun? What is a possessive pronoun? A pronoun indicating ownership that does not use an apostrophe. Tricky Words its/it’s theirs/there’s whose/who’s they’re/their/*there you’re/your 1. (You’re/ Your) going to get sick if you eat that. 2. (You’re/ Your) house is on fire. 3. Go over (they’re/ their/ there). 4. (They’re/ Their/ There) a very close group of friends. 5. That is (they’re/ their/ there) beautiful house. 6. (It’s/ Its) a gorgeous day. 7. The dog loves (it’s/ its) bone. 8. Here is (you’re/ your) pencil back. 9. The playground is over (they’re/ their/ there). 10. Aw, man! (It’s/ Its) raining! 11. I think (they’re/ their/ there) team is best. 12. That cat really loves (it’s/ its) new toy. 13. (They’re/ Their/ There) doing a good job. 14. (There’s/ Theirs) nothing to worry about. 15. (Who’s/ Whose) at the front door? 16. The secret was not (there’s/ theirs) to tell. 17. (Who’s/ Whose) name was called. 18. I have a friend (who’s/ whose) father is famous. 19. **___________ _________ with ___________ kids.** (they’re/ their/ there) 20. **_______ _________ mom. ** (it’s/ its)