I Correct It

Your and You’re

Mistakenly using your instead of you’re (or vice versa) is a common grammatical error. The confusion arises because the two words are pronounced identically. Here’s how to know which word to use.

You’re

The word you’re is a contraction — a shortened form — of you are.

I hope you’re okay!

I hope you are okay!

You’re very pretty.

You are very pretty.

Do you know where you’re going?

Do you know where you are going?

Your

The word your is possessive. It indicates ownership of something. In almost all cases, it is followed by a noun — the thing that is owned.

• What’s your name?
• Is this your dog?
• Your food is getting cold.
• I enjoyed your singing.

Key points

• You’re should only be used if it can be replaced with you are.
• Your should only be used if it can be replaced with another possessive like his or her.