Follow language rules and impact your audience
The words you’re, it’s, and we’re all have one thing in common: these are contractions because there is a letter missing from the word that is being denoted by an apostrophe. The apostrophe is replacing the eliminated letter in all these words. Therefore, you’re is the contraction of you are; it’s is the contraction of it is or it has; and we’re is the contraction of we are.
In numerous texts— e.g., web content, television commercials, and even billboards—writers are confusing your and you’re, its and it’s, and where/were and we’re. These words are not interchangeable. The following are examples of when to correctly use each of these contractions, and when to use its similar sounding “sidekick.”
You’re = you are
You’re (You are) going to enjoy your trip to Hawaii.
The word your denotes possession. In the sentence below, note that you cannot replace your with you are.
Your trip to Hawaii is going to be enjoyable.
It’s = it is or it has
It’s (It is) going to be a long drive.
It’s (It has) been a long day.
The word its denotes possession. In the sentence below, you cannot replace the word its with it is or it has.
Its policies provide health insurance coverage for all full-time employees.
We’re = we are
We’re (We are) going to buy a new car this year.
Only use we’re if you can replace it with we are; otherwise, you will need to correctly use either where or were.
Your writing—whether for professional or casual purposes—may very well provide readers with their first impression of you. It is time well spent attempting to understand and learn language rules that will elevate your writing and clarify your message—components necessary to promote a professional impact upon your audience.
I will gladly respond to email inquiries regarding grammar and punctuation issues. If you are having difficulty or just need clarification on a certain subject, please email me and I will do my best to cover the topic in a subsequent article.
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