One of the most common problems in the English language is the use of contractions. They are supposed to make life a little easier, but it seems that they don’t do much more than confuse. The case of your vs. you’re is a classic example.
I have said that the easiest way for me to remember the difference between two similar words is to focus on the meaning and use of one. If it’s not the one, then it must be the other. I’ll give you the meaning and use of both, and try to emphasize one to help you remember.
“Your” is possessive. When I use the word, I’m talking about something that belongs to you, or an attribute of you.
Example: Your cat is a beautiful calico.
“You’re” is a contraction. They say repetition is the key to memory: YOU’RE IS A CONTRACTION. That means we’re being lazy. We’ve dropped the letter “a” from the phrase “you are” and replaced it with an apostrophe.
Example: You’re going to need to buy me a new paper to replace the one your cat has destroyed.
See how “you’re”=”you are”? See also the difference between the two words in the same sentence? When I need to remember which word to use, I always say “you-apostrophe-r-e=you are.”
A note about “you’re”: Contractions (combining two words by dropping a letter or two and using an apostrophe) are always considered informal. If you are writing a paper for school (especially for English or certain non-writing teachers!), NEVER use contractions. It’s safer that way. Some writing teachers allow contractions occasionally because of the stated audience for the assignment.
Final tip: when in doubt, spell it out. You can’t spell out “your” because it is the whole possessive word. You can spell out “you’re” because you can write “you are” instead. If you spell it out, you’ll never go wrong.
“Your” is possessive. “You’re” is a contraction.
October 6, 2008 at 5:17 pm
In days of yore, I used to struggle with this one. Your post makes usage very clear, so I look forward to other posts like this that you’re going to offer.
I think part of the modern problem with usage revolvess around all the TXT MSSG abbrev’s we use. Now we might send ” u r not going to bleve this!” Anyway, that’s my opinion, what’s yours? (did I need an apostrophe there? hmm…)
Yes, I’m being a wise-guy. Great post, anyway! ~Jim
October 6, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Thanks, Jim.
I agree with you about texting. But texting is not the original or even the main source of confusion. Instant messanger is also greatly to blame. Have you heard high schoolers talking to each other lately? I’m not much older than them, but I usually get lost in all the abbreviations!
When I text or im, I admit that I hardly ever use perfect English. Relaxed communication is the second greatest benefit of both. But I do work very hard to keep my texting/im speak out of my every-day writing and professional writing. It’s harder than I’d like to admit.