Your and You’re can often be used incorrectly. When you are writing words that sound similar (identical when spoken), but have different meanings, it is important to spell them correctly.
The modern-day use of additional abbreviations, such as ‘ur’ in texts and social media posts has further confused the use of the word, because ur may be considered interchangeable with both the word your and the word you’re because ur is used to replace the sound rather than being a recognized word in its own right.
Your is a word and you’re is an abbreviated version of two words that utilize the apostrophe in place of omitted letters.
What is the Meaning of Your?
Your is a word that means belonging to someone. The word your can be used to describe an object, trait, characteristic, or almost anything else that belongs to an individual.
Example sentences include:
(Something associated with an individuals ownership).
- I like your car.
- Your car is red.
- I like the way your car shines in the sun.
- I would not want to use your bag, it is far too small for a fortnights holiday.
- I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes when the teacher finds out what you have done.
- Your personality is great. I love happy people.
(Something that is associated with people in general).
- Your heart is broken when a relationship ends.
- Your feelings can be hurt when you receive bad feedback.
What is the Meaning of You’re?
You’re is a shortened version of ‘you are’.
Quite simply, the meaning of you’re is you are.
Example sentences include:
- You’re 22 years old.
- You’re going to receive a certificate for passing the course.
- You’re going to win the game, I’m sure.
- One day, when you’re old enough, you can ride the big dipper.
- Please do what you’re told!
Hopefully the above helps to explain the definitions of your and you’re. This should help you to use these words correctly in the future.
Why do People Mistake Your for You’re?
As previously mentioned, these words sound similar and that is likely to be the primary reason why they are mistaken for each other when written.
The Write Correctly page that discusses the difference between the words ‘there’, ‘their’ and ‘they’re’ further explains this misuse due to similar sounds. Perhaps look at the page defining there, their and they’re after you have finished reading this article about the words your and you’re. We think that you will benefit if you have ever not been sure of when to use particular words in your written work.
There are ways to check if you have used the correct word when writing. These include using the Grammarly app, which can help you chose ‘your‘ and ‘you’re‘ correctly, as well as helping with spelling in general, punctuation, conciseness, and other grammatical improvements.
Another reason why your and you’re maybe written incorrectly is that people associated the apostrophe (‘) with ‘belonging to someone’.
Other Theories for the Incorrect Use of You’re and Your
The apostrophe denotes belonging when the person, organization, or entity that has ownership is the actual word where the apostrophe is used.
For example:
- David’s guitar.
- Manchester’s shopping center.
- LA Galaxy’s stadium.
- The Government’s policy on global warming.
When the apostrophe is used in words that cannot own something, it tends not to denote ownership, but instead replaces letters that have been omitted as two words have been shortened into one.
For example:
- They’re – They are.
- You’re – You are.
- It’s – It is or It has.
Further Reading
See more about the word your here.
Read more about the word you’re here.
We hope that reading this page has been helpful. We recommend that you read more in trusted dictionaries (in our opinion), such as the Cambridge Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary, or Dictionary.com in order to write correctly whenever possible.
Take a look at the Word of the Day posts on this website too. These are written to help expand the vocabulary of those wishing to develop their English or utilize additional words when writing content for websites and other media.
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