Your or you’re?

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.

Its or It’s?

The difference between “its” and “it’s” is very important, but it can be hard to remember. Luckily for you, this diction problem is a pet peeve of mine. If you still have a question when you’re finished reading this post, I need to find a new hobby.

“It” is an impersonal pronoun for a thing. It is very useful when referring to the same thing multiple times in a short period. But what about when we’re talking about something that belongs to it? That’s when we use “its.”

Example: “It” is an over-ripe banana. I could say that “it is smelly,” or I could say “its atrocious smell is attracting rodents.”

“It’s” is always a contraction. Let me repeat that: “IT’S” IS ALWAYS A CONTRACTION. In other words, “it’s”=”it is.” Remember that the apostrophe is often used to represent a letter that has been dropped. To form this contraction, we’re dropping the extra “i.”

Example: Same over-ripe banana. I could say “It is going to become either banana bread or compost very soon,” or I could say “It’s going to become either banana bread or compost very soon.”

Note about “it’s”: 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.

How do I always figure out which to use? When I come to the word, I say “i-t-apostrophe-s=it is.” If I’m looking for “it is,” I use “it’s.” If I’m looking for the possessive form, I use “its.” I find it’s always easier to remember the difference between two similar words if you focus on the meaning and use of only one. If it’s not the one, then it must be the other.

Final tip: when in doubt, spell it out. You can’t spell out “its” because that’s the whole possessive word. You can spell out “it’s,” though, because you can write “it is” instead. If you spell it out, you can’t go wrong.

It is a pronoun. Its purpose is to reduce redundancy. It’s very common. And “it’s” is always a contraction.

The Reason is Because

The word “reason” has fallen victim to redundancy. When we say “the reason is” we are about to state the cause of something, right? When we start the explanation with “because,” we’re doing the same thing. In fact, Merriam Webster uses the word “reason” to define “because.” So why do we often start our explanations with “the reason is because”?

The reason is because (oops!) that someone along the way forgot the meaning of the words and felt it was necessary. And because everyone will pick up the verbal habits of the people they talk to, the redundancy spread across the English speakers like mosquitoes in stagnant water.

To avoid redundancy, stick to either “the reason is that” or “because.”

If this article has helped you, or if you have other questions about this topic, please let me know. Thanks!

“And me” or “and I”?

When you’re making a list of people in a sentence, and you want to include yourself, do you say “and I” or “and me”? It depends. Here’s the easy way to figure it out: drop the other people.

Example

Sounds Bad: My husband’s favorite cooks are: Rachael Rae, Chef Ramsay, Paula Dean and I.

Drop the people: My husband’s favorite cooks are: Rachael Rae, Chef Ramsay, Paula Dean and [is:] I.

Sounds Better: My husband’s favorite cooks are: Rachael Rae, Chef Ramsay, Paula Dean and me. (or myself)

****

Sounds Bad: Rachael Rae, Chef Ramsay, Paula Dean and me are going out for coffee. (I wish!!)

Drop the people: Rachael Rae, Chef Ramsay, Paula Dean and me [is]are going out for coffee.

Sounds Better: Rachael Rae, Chef Ramsay, Paula Dean and I are going out for coffee.

****

Ps. About my list style note: here’s one time when it’s better to list the single-syllable word last. When you include yourself, list yourself last.

If this article has helped you, or if you have other questions about this topic, please let me know. Thanks!

Their They’re There

The differences between “their,” “they’re,” “there” can be easily remembered if the definitions are known. And it helps to know a few mental tricks.

Their

This is a possessive word. It is the only one of the three that has an “i” in it. Possessive, selfish, however you want to put it, “their” is only concerned with what belongs to the people it is referring to. Example: Their dog chewed up my newspaper.

They’re

This is a contraction of “they are.” The apostrophe knocks off the poor little “a” because it’s slightly faster to write and say “they’re” instead of “they are.” Example: They’re not going to buy me a new newspaper.

There

This is in reference to a location, usually. How do you get the opposite of “here”? Add a “t” to make it “there.” Example:  My neighbors’ dog should just stay over there.

These may be silly tricks, but often the silly tricks are the ones that stick. Once you get their ideas in your head, they’ll probably stay there. They’re just like that.

If this article has helped you, or if you have other questions about this topic, please let me know. Thanks!