'Your' or 'You're'? What Is the Difference?

(Last Updated: 25 November 2023)

The Difference between Your and You're

Your and you're are commonly confused because they sound the same when spoken, but they are not interchangeable.

Your is a possessive determiner showing that something belongs to you or relates to you:

✅ I like your shirt.

✅ Where is your book?

✅ Being kind to others is good for your health.

You're is a contraction of the words you are:

✅ You're late again. (= You are late again.)

✅ You're going to have a quiz next week. (= You are going to have a quiz next week.)

✅ You're supposed to take care of your kids. (= You are supposed to take care of your kids.)

Typically, people misuse your in situations calling for you're:

❌ Your welcome.
✅ You're welcome. (= You are welcome.)

❌ Your the best, Dad!
✅ You're the best, Dad! (= You are the best, Dad!)

❌ ~~Smile! Your on camera.~~
✅ Smile! You're on camera. (= You are on camera.)

Tom Cruise corrects Justin Bieber's use of the possessive determiner 'your'

Thanks, Tom!

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Examples from the Media

If you're going to put your preschooler in front of a screen, choose a TV. —The Guardian (2021)

"When you're making your to-do list for the day or the week, you think about where you're going that particular day," she said. —Toronto Star (2020)

Like other homeowners, you've probably been inundated with promos from lenders offering to save you hundreds of dollars a month by refinancing your mortgage at a lower rate. You may be wondering whether you're a good candidate for refinancing and if so whether it's the right time to do it. —The Washington Post (2021)

When your commute results in a lower disposable income, you're going to feel it even more, writes Dr Kirstin Ferguson. —The Sydney Morning Herald (2023)