Quick answer: “You’re welcome” is correct. “Your welcome” is usually wrong.
If you’ve ever stopped while typing “your welcome” in a text or email, you’re not alone.
I know how easy it is to get confused. “Your” and “you’re” sound exactly the same. But one is correct, and the other isn’t most of the time.
I want to help you understand the difference. In this article, I’ll explain why “you’re welcome” is right, show examples, and give simple rules you can remember.
By the end, you’ll never second-guess this phrase again. Your emails, texts, and social media messages will look polished and professional.
Your Welcome or You’re Welcome – Quick Answer
- ✅ You’re welcome → contraction of you are welcome (correct)
- ❌ Your welcome → possessive your + noun (incorrect in this context)
Tip: Try expanding “you’re” to you are. If it makes sense, it’s correct.
The Origin of “You’re Welcome”
The phrase “you’re welcome” has been used since Middle English. It originally meant “you are welcome to it”.
Over time, it became the standard reply when someone says thank you. The possessive form “your welcome” doesn’t fit.
It’s just a spelling mistake that sounds the same.
Your vs You’re – The Key Difference
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Your | Possessive pronoun | Your book is on the table |
| You’re | You are (contraction) | You’re welcome to join us |
Remember: If you can expand it to you are welcome, it is correct. If it doesn’t make sense, it’s probably wrong.
Which Should You Use?
Always use “you’re welcome” when responding to thanks.
Examples:
- Emails: Thank you for your help. → You’re welcome!
- Text messages: Thanks for the info! → You’re welcome!
- Social media: Thanks for sharing! → You’re welcome!
Avoid using your welcome in these situations. It looks like a grammar mistake.
Common Mistakes with Your Welcome / You’re Welcome
❌ Writing your welcome in messages or emails
✅ Always check: Can you expand it to you are welcome?
❌ Confusing homophones in writing
✅ Remember: “your” = possessive, “you’re” = contraction
❌ Using it incorrectly in professional messages
✅ In emails, texts, or social posts, you’re welcome is always safe.
Your Welcome / You’re Welcome in Everyday Examples
| Situation | Correct | Incorrect |
| Responding to a thank you | You’re welcome! | Your welcome! |
| Texting a friend | You’re welcome for the info | Your welcome for the info |
| Email reply | You’re welcome, happy to help | Your welcome, happy to help |
| Social media comment | You’re welcome! | Your welcome! |
These examples show that you’re welcome works in all situations where someone is thanking you.
Other Ways to Say You’re Welcome
If you want variety, here are alternatives that are also correct:
- No problem
- My pleasure
- Glad to help
- Anytime
These are casual but polite and work in texts, emails, or social media.
Easy Memory Tricks That Always Work
The “You Are” Test
Say the sentence with you are:
- You are welcome → correct
- Your are welcome → wrong
The Ownership Test
Ask yourself:
“Does someone own the welcome?”
If not, use you’re.
These two tricks solve the problem every time.
FAQs
1. Is “you’re welcome” always correct?
Yes, when replying to thanks, it is always correct.
2. Is “your welcome” ever correct?
Only when “welcome” is a noun someone owns. This is rare.
3. Why do people keep mixing them up?
Because they sound the same when spoken.
4. Does this mistake matter in emails?
Yes. It can make writing look careless or unprofessional.
5. Is “you’re welcome” formal English?
Yes. It works in both formal and informal situations.
6. Can I just say “no problem” instead?
Yes. It’s a safe and common alternative.
7. Does spellcheck catch this mistake?
Usually no. Both words are spelled correctly.
8. Is this a common grammar mistake?
Yes. It’s one of the most common English errors.
9. Is “your welcome” acceptable in texting?
No. The rule is the same in all writing.
10. What’s the fastest way to remember the rule?
Replace it with you are welcome. If it works, use you’re.
Tips to Avoid Mistakes
- Always expand “you’re” → Can you say you are welcome?
- Check context → If you’re replying to thanks, it’s “you’re welcome”.
- Proofread emails and texts → A quick glance prevents mistakes.
- Learn alternatives → “No problem” or “my pleasure” can save you in casual contexts.
With these tips, you’ll never confuse the phrase again.
Final Thoughts
“Your welcome” or “you’re welcome”? Always go with you’re welcome. Remember: you’re = you are.
With a little care, you won’t mix it up. Your emails, texts, and messages will always look polished.
Once you know this rule, it’s easy to reply confidently whenever someone says thank you.
Grammar doesn’t have to be tricky. Simple checks, like expanding “you’re,” make your writing accurate and professional.
I’m Jane Austen, a writer at Wordorae.com, where I focus on explaining grammar mistakes and confusing English words in a clear, simple way.
I help readers improve their writing by making tricky language rules easy to understand and use.
