The difference between ‘your’ and ‘you’re’

Grammar fascists are a bore it’s true. But bad grammar makes you look foolish. That’s fine if you’re 17, but if you’re writing and publishing a blog, e-book or anything else for that matter, basic good grammar will create a much better impression.

One of the most common mistakes I see on the web is the use of ‘your’ when the writer means ‘you’re’. It’s a real howler. But I’ve seen it from people who write really well, clearly, with virtually no other grammar faults. They’re clearly well educated and smart people but they seem to have a blind spot here.

There’s obviously some confusion out there, but the difference between the two is really quite simple to grasp.

‘Your’ is possessive: my apple, your apple, their apple, our apple.

You’re is the shortened form of ‘you are’: I am blogging, you are blogging, they are blogging, we are blogging.

This becomes: I’m blogging, you’re blogging, they’re blogging, we’re blogging.

Related Posts

1. Get to know the difference between “There’s” and “Theirs”
2. Voilà… the evil spell-check gremlins strike again
3. Before you hit ‘publish’ … 10 editing tips for crafting better copy
4. The difference between it’s and its
5. A line in the sand: how to make fewer mistakes and be less ignorant

Tagged as: Grammar, Grammar, spelling and punctuation, spelling