Why do so many people spell "you're" as " your"?

Question

I've noticed that more people spell it wrong than right and it's a real pet peeve of mine. If the word is a contraction (shortened version of two words), it needs an apostrophe. I know doctors and lawyers that misuse this

Answer 1

The dumbing down of Amerika is evident.

Answer 2

First of all they probably don't know that they are two different words, and that they have two different meanings.
Second, if it is a typed letter, note, memo, etc., they may have used spell check, and either way is correct. For most educated or well informed people, this would be a pet peeve especially for the use of just a simple word. Some times even educated people misspell this word because their brain thinks so fast that they really don't care about how and if things are spelled correctly, just as long as they are getting their message across. Another reason as to why people miss spell, could be because of technology. Unfortunately we abbreviate in text messages, and in messenger chats. I think we are probably going to have to re-teach our current teenagers the English language, as I see then texting all the time, and will probably get into trouble later on if they continue not knowing the correct way to spell.

Answer 3

I majored in English in college and nothing bugs me more than seeing lots of misspelled words.

You're and your are common ones because they sound the same, and words that sound the same are easy to get confused if you are typing fast or simply not paying attention.

Most word processing programs use spell check features, which will tell you that that the word is spelled correctly, but people often over look grammar checking, to see if the word you have used is correct. If you rely solely on a spell-checker, it won't tell you if you used "your" instead of "you're" because the word would be spelled correctly. That's why a grammar checker would also be useful.

Also, there is the sad fact that most people today have became very blasé about proper spelling, especially in the new Internet culture where Netspeak, using smileys and other symbols, etc have become very common. On most the forums/websites I frequent, you're more likely to cause a ruckus for correcting someone's spelling than to be thanked for pointing out the error. People simply don't care anymore.

Answer 4

I think it's more of a popular culture thing right now. If you've noticed, this has mostly been happening as Internet and cell phone communications have grown. Unfortunately, this is one of those words that just got lost in the translation of shortcuts. It use to be a pet peeve of mine as well, but I've had to learn to let these kinds of things go. And honestly, it reminds me that I'm not too old yet and to not take everything so seriously when my peers spell this way. There are more important things in life.

Answer 5

I think it's mostly laziness. When typing especially, it's easier to spell "your" than "you're". And when you're thinking how it sounds in your head, it sounds the same. As a transcriber, I always have to separate the contraction in my head or else I'll spell it wrong when I'm not paying attention.

Same with "it's" and "its" or "they're" and "their". They sound the same. I sometimes have to fix those when I go back to proofread because I didn't catch it at the time.

It always cracks me up when I hear lawyers and judges make up their own words because they aren't really familiar with the word they're trying to use!

Answer 6

I think because they did not pay attention in class that day, or they are too lazy to care. Many people take the attitude that the reader will know what they are trying to say. If they think that "you're" = "you are," it does help a little... if they take the time to think while writing.

My big pet peeve is when people mix up "their," "there," and "they're!" Ugh!

Answer 7

because they are either too lazy or too uneducated to know the difference! I teach 2nd grade, and we teach the kids the difference between the two spellings! I don't think people realize how bad it makes you look when you spell it incorrectly, especially if it's supposed to be a formal/serious writing (college essay, letter to co-workers, etc.)!

And yes, I saw the response with 'too' spelled incorrectly! Another one that can be a pet peeve! :)

Answer 8

Suffice to say, a lot of people don't even know what a contraction is. To them, they're probably hearing the phonetic [yor] and just spell it in the most logical way. That, and some people just get in a hurry and probably forget to proofread their documents. Even professionals get sloppy sometimes ;)

Answer 9

The spelling all depends on how they word is being used. It's spelled "you're" if it means "you are." It's spelled "your" if it's referring to something that belongs to you. So "you're" right if "your " pet peeve about missing apostraphes refers to "you are" contractions only.

Answer 10

They usually have no idea about grammar and spelling. Fast typing (BTW, it's too fast not to fast - caught it) should not be an excuse, because you can always take a minute to read your text again.

I also hate it when people mix up it's (it is) with its.

P.S. Just because one went to law school does not mean one is particularly well-versed in English grammar. I saw plenty of idiots who couldn't spell their own names during my time in law school. Law is really not an academic discipline; it's a lot of memorizing and repeating.

Answer 11

I don't think some people know the difference. They don't take the time to think about what they write and they never edit their work. The words have two different meanings. "You're" - you're a special person. and "Your" - your food is on the table.