Meaning and usage guide
your vs you're
Meaning, usage, and examples
Your is the possessive form used before a noun. You’re is a contraction of you are. Depending on accent and sentence stress, they may sound identical or slightly different.
How to choose
Replace the contraction before writing
The apostrophe represents the missing A from are. It does not mark possession.
Possession: your
Use your before a noun for something belonging or related to the listener.
Please bring your passport.
You are: you’re
Use you’re only when you are can replace it without changing the sentence.
You’re early. = You are early.
Direct answer
What is the difference?
Use your before something belonging or relating to you. Use you’re only where the full words you are fit. Careful speakers may give your one syllable and you’re a slightly fuller vowel, but many accents merge them, and both can reduce in connected speech. The expansion test is therefore more reliable than listening for a difference.
Optional listening · American English
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Each term has female and male playback at natural speed. Listen without looking, then compare the recordings with the IPA.
Word 1
your
possessive determiner
Belonging or relating to the person or people being addressed.
US pronunciation
/jʊr, jər/
UK IPA
/jɔː, jə/
Hear two natural voices
Word 2
you're
contraction
A shortened form of you are.
US pronunciation
/jʊr, jər/
UK IPA
/jɔː, jə/
Hear two natural voices
Listen in context
6 example sentences
Context makes meaning, grammar, and natural rhythm easier to understand. Every sentence has its own playback.
Examples with
your
- Your appointment begins at nine.
- I enjoyed hearing your presentation.
- Remember to save your work before closing.
Examples with
you're
- You're welcome to join the discussion.
- Let me know when you're ready.
- You're the first person to arrive.