ShmoopTube

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Your versus You're, a la Shmoop. You’re on a first date.

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First dates are stressful enough. But this one is with an English teacher. Gulp. [Woman english teacher on a first date]

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However, you’re determined to show that your brain is worthy of a second date.

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It's time to showcase your ability to differentiate between “your” and “you're”.

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The word “your”... ... y-o-u-r...

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...is the possessive form of the word “you”.

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The word “you're”... ... y-o-u-apostrophe-r-e... [hand points to the word you're]

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...is a contraction of the words “you” and “are”.

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Let's look at some examples. [A couple in a restaurant on a first date]

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Say your date tells you that “Your face is handsome”…

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…or, “Your meal looks delicious”…

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…or, “Your fly is open.”

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In these examples, your date is referring to stuff you have or own.

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Your hair…your meal…your fly. [Hand points to man's hair, meal and trouser fly]

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Your date then switches gears a tad, and says…

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“You’re even better looking in person”…

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…or, “You’re kicking my leg under the table”… [Man kicks a girl's leg under the table]

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…or, “You’re picking up the check, right?”

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In these examples, the words “you” and “are” have been smashed together to form

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the contraction “you're”.

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So, just remember, y-o-u-r is the possessive form of “you”...

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...and “you're” with an apostrophe is a contraction of the words “you” and “are”.

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And now that you're familiar with this grammar rule... [A couple standing by a log fire]

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…you’ll be sure to earn that second date you’re hoping for. [Man gives flowers to a woman and woman gives man a pop quiz]

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Fingers crossed the pop quiz she gives you is open book…

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