You’re means you are. Your shows possession or a connection to the person you’re speaking to. If you can say you are in the same sentence, use the apostrophe.
Try the you are test
- “You’re early.” Read it as “You are early.”
- “Your seat is by the window.” The word tells which seat. “You are seat” does not fit.
- “You’re going to need your ticket.” The first word means you are, and the second identifies the ticket.
What the apostrophe does
In you’re, the apostrophe marks the missing a in are. In your new phone and your plans, your already works as a possessive word.
Try it
“If ___ running late, leave ___ bag at the front desk.”
Show the answer
Use you’re for you are running and your to show whose bag.
See also Who’s vs. Whose.
