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If you wrote "Your going to" and wondered whether it's correct: almost always not. The missing apostrophe turns the contraction you're (you are) into the possessive your, which changes the meaning.

Below are clear rules, quick checks, many wrong/right pairs, real-context rewrites, and memory tricks to help you spot and fix the error fast.

Quick answer

Use "you're" (you + are) when you mean "you are going to." Use "your" only to show possession (your idea, your phone).

If you can replace the phrase with "you are," write "you are" or "you're."
If the word shows ownership before a noun (your book), use "your."
Read the sentence aloud: "you are" should sound right where you used "you're."

Is "Your going to" correct?

In standard writing, "Your going to" is incorrect when the writer means "you are going to." The correct form is "you're going to" or the full "you are going to."

Wrong: Your going to love this movie.
Right: You're going to love this movie.

Rarely, you might see "your" followed by a hyphenated or quoted phrase, as in "your 'going-to' list." That construction is unusual and often clumsy. When in doubt, use "you're" for "you are."

Spacing and hyphenation

Errors often come from guessing how words join on the page. "You're" is a contraction and always written with an apostrophe; spelling it without the apostrophe makes it look like a possessive.

Don't split contractions: write "you're," not "your" + "going" or "you re."
Hyphens aren't used to create contractions. If you see hyphenation, double-check whether the phrase should be two words, one word, or a contraction.
Focus on the established written form rather than how it sounds in speech.

Why writers make this mistake

Common causes:

Typing quickly and skipping the apostrophe.
Relying on how speech sounds rather than on spelling.
Phone keyboards that strip punctuation or autocorrect incorrectly.
Confusion between possessives and contractions.

Real usage: work, school, casual

Seeing correct forms in context makes the difference. Below are natural examples using "you're."

Work: You're going to lead the demo tomorrow, right?
Work: If you're going to change the schedule, tell the team today.
Work: You're going to need the updated figures for the report.
School: You're going to hand in the essay on Friday.
School: If you're going to use outside sources, cite them correctly.
School: You're going to need three examples to support that claim.
Casual: You're going to love the new cafe on Main Street.
Casual: Are you going to come to the party tonight?
Casual: If you're going to be late, send a quick message.

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence rather than the phrase alone. Replace the phrase with "you are" - if it reads correctly, use "you're."

Wrong vs right examples you can copy

These pairs show the correction clearly. Copy them into your notes or editor for quick reference.

Wrong:
Work: Your going to send the report today?
Right:
Work: You're going to send the report today?
Wrong:
Work: Your going to lead the demo tomorrow.
Right:
Work: You're going to lead the demo tomorrow.
Wrong:
School: Your going to hand in the essay on Friday.
Right:
School: You're going to hand in the essay on Friday.
Wrong:
School: Your going to need three sources for this paper.
Right:
School: You're going to need three sources for this paper.
Wrong:
Casual: Your going to love this show.
Right:
Casual: You're going to love this show.
Wrong:
Casual: Are your going to come tonight?
Right:
Casual: Are you going to come tonight?

How to fix your own sentence

Fixes fall into two types: a direct contraction fix or a clearer rewrite. Always reread for tone and flow after fixing.

Step 1: Identify whether you mean "you are" or a possessive.
Step 2: Replace "your" with "you're" (or "you are") when it means "you are."
Step 3: Reread and, if needed, rephrase for natural tone.

Rewrite:
Original: Your going to finish the project by Friday.
Rewrite: You're going to finish the project by Friday.
Rewrite:
Original: Your going to need help with the lab results.
Rewrite: You will need help with the lab results. (avoids contraction)
Rewrite:
Original: Is that Your going to arrive at noon?
Rewrite: Are you going to arrive at noon?

A simple memory trick

Use the expansion test: try replacing the phrase with "you are." If the sentence still makes sense, write "you're."

Mnemonic: YOU + ARE = YOU'RE (the apostrophe marks the missing A).
Scan drafts for "your going" and fix them in bulk with a find-and-replace that checks each result.
Train your eye by reading edited examples in real emails or articles.

Similar mistakes to watch for

Errors that often appear alongside this one:

their / there / they're
its / it's
Apostrophes misplaced for plurals (e.g., "apple's" vs "apples")
Split or joined words (e.g., "any one" vs "anyone")

FAQ

Is "your going to" ever correct?

Almost never. "Your" shows possession. The only plausible cases are odd constructions like "your 'going-to' list," which are awkward. When you mean "you are," write "you are" or "you're."

How can I remember to use you're instead of your?

Always try the expansion test: replace the phrase with "you are." If it fits, use "you're." Visual mnemonic: picture YOU and ARE joining into YOU'RE.

Should I use "you are" instead of "you're" in formal writing?

Yes - formal writing often avoids contractions. Use "you are" or rewrite to eliminate direct address when appropriate.

My phone removes apostrophes-what's the fastest fix?

Add a text shortcut (e.g., "yrg" → "you're"), enable a grammar checker, or turn on a keyboard that preserves punctuation.

Will grammar tools always catch this mistake?

Most tools flag "your going" and suggest "you're" or "you are," but they can miss context or suggest awkward rewrites. Read suggestions before accepting them.

Want to check a sentence quickly?

Paste a sentence into a grammar checker or run the expansion test: replace the phrase with "you are." If it reads correctly, use "you're." For recurring errors, enable a grammar plugin or add shortcuts to your keyboard.