I’ve released a number of videos with editing tips to help writers improve their skills. You can find them on my channel on YouTube, but I’m also now offering access to these tips and more in the Blue-Line Editing Tips blog.
Your and you’re are homophones, two words that are pronounced alike but spelled differently and have different meanings.
Your
“Your” is possessive. It’s used to refer to something that belongs to you. For example:
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Your dress is beautiful.
You’re
“You’re” is a contraction of the words “you” and “are,” as in:
I’m so glad you’re here!
You’re welcome.
Which one should I use?
If you’re having trouble deciding which to use, try replacing it in the sentence with the words “you are.” If it works—
I’m so glad you are here!
—then use you’re in the sentence. If it sounds something like—
You are dress is beautiful.
—you’ll want to use your.
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