608. Mistakes with Contractions

A contraction combines two words into one, substituting an apostrophe for part of the second word.
Contractions always have an apostrophe in the word.

The contraction you’re combines the words you and are. When you read the word you’re in a sentence, it actually means you are.
Mom says you’re cooking dinner tonight.
This sentence could also be read like this:
Mom says you are cooking dinner tonight.

The word your is sometimes confused with the contraction you’re.
We use the pronoun your to show ownership.
Your haircut looks good.
In this sentence, your is a possessive pronoun.
Here are more sentences using your:
You dropped your glove.
Mom said to clean your room.
Did you find your missing book?

Use the contraction you’re when you mean to say you are. Use the word your to show ownership.

▶Now you try it. Decide if you should use you’re or your in this sentence blank. John said ___ helping us tomorrow. Did you decide to use a contraction? Good for you!