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Your vs. You're: Possession vs. Contraction

Published on January 15, 2024

The Rule

  • Your = possessive (belonging to you)
  • You’re = contraction of “you are”

Your: Ownership

Use “your” when something belongs to someone:

  • “Is this your coat?” ✓
  • “Your presentation was excellent.” ✓
  • “I read your email.” ✓
  • “What’s your opinion?” ✓

You’re: You Are

Use “you’re” only when you can substitute “you are”:

  • “You’re going to love this.” ✓ (you are)
  • “I think you’re right.” ✓ (you are)
  • “You’re welcome.” ✓ (you are)
  • “You’re the best candidate.” ✓ (you are)

The Expansion Test

Try replacing the word with “you are”:

  • If it works → you’re
  • If it doesn’t → your

”_____ kidding me!” → “You are kidding me!” ✓ → You’re

“Is this _____ book?” → “Is this you are book?” ✗ → your

Why People Mix Them Up

They sound identical when spoken. And autocorrect doesn’t always catch the wrong one because both are real words.

The only solution: pause and think before you type.

The Comment Section Classic

You’ve seen this exchange online:

“Your so wrong about this!” “You’re*”

Don’t be the first person. Be the second person (but maybe nicer about it).

Common Mistakes Fixed

Wrong: “Your the best!” Right: “You’re the best!”

Wrong: “I hope you’re day is going well.” Right: “I hope your day is going well.”

Wrong: “Your going to regret that.” Right: “You’re going to regret that.”

Memory Trick

You’re has an apostrophe. Apostrophes in contractions mark where letters are missing.

You’re = you are (the “a” is missing → apostrophe takes its place)

If there’s no missing letter, there’s no apostrophe: your.

Side by Side

Your (possession)You’re (you are)
Your houseYou’re home
Your ideaYou’re right
Your turnYou’re next
Your choiceYou’re choosing

The Pattern

This follows the same pattern as other contractions:

  • I’m = I am
  • He’s = he is
  • We’re = we are
  • You’re = you are

And possessive pronouns have no apostrophe:

  • My, his, her, our, your, their

Remember

  • Your = belonging to you (possessive, no apostrophe)
  • You’re = you are (contraction, apostrophe marks the missing “a”)

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