Reading Worksheets, Spelling, Grammar, Comprehension, Lesson Plans

You’re vs. Your

The Easy Explanation

“You’re” is a contraction of you+are: When you’re on top, everyone wants to be your friend.

“Your” is the possessive form of you: May I hand you your hat, sir?

When to Use You’re vs. Your

The word “you’re” is a contraction (you+are=you’re). Apostrophes often are used in words that show possession, but don’t let it fool you here: “you’re” is never used to show possession. It is always only a shortened version of you+are. The word “your,” in fact, is a possessive pronoun, meaning it is the way the pronoun “you” shows it owns something: You forgot your scarf at my house. (“You” owns the scarf.) You love your son, don’t you? (The ownership can also be abstract—not a literal ownership.)

Examples of You’re vs. Your

  • Baby, you’re the greatest. (meaning you+are)
  • You’re in luck. (meaning you+are)
  • This is your time to shine. (showing that you “owns” the time)
  • Did you forget your lunch at home on the counter again? (showing you “owns” the lunch)

How to Remember the Difference

This is not a confusing pair to figure out. Mistakes are often made simply due to rushing. When in doubt, pause for a second. If you can replace “you are” with the word in question and it still makes sense, use “you’re”: Your grade is determined by test scores and attendance. [YOU ARE] grade is determined by test scores and attendance. (Doesn’t make sense, which means “your” is the correct word to use.)

Theory Into Practice: Which Is Which?

Is the underlined word correct? See if you can tell.

  1. Why don’t you take your job more seriously?
    Right: You “owns” the job, which means “your” is correct.
  2. If your going to rush out the door late each morning, then at least pack your backpack the night before.
    Wrong: This words needs to replace you+are, which means you should use “you’re.”
  3. You should know that you’re going to miss out one of these days.
    Right: This words needs to replace you+are, which means “you’re” is correct.
  4. When your folding laundry, please be sure to sort the socks.
    Wrong: This words needs to replace you+are, which means you should use “you’re.”