Your

Definition

Your is a possessive determiner used to indicate that something belongs to or is associated with the person or people being addressed.

Parts of Speech

• Determiner

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /jʊr/, /jər/, or /jɔːr/
• Respelling: yoor, yer, or yawr

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /jɔː/, /jʊə/, or /jə/
• Respelling: yaw, yoo, or yuh

Etymology

The word "your" originates from Old English "ēower," which is the genitive form of "gē" (you). It evolved in Middle English to "oure" and then to "your," reflecting possessive association with the second person plural and singular.

Derivatives

• Yourself (reflexive pronoun)
• Yours (possessive pronoun)
• Yourselfs (non-standard plural reflexive)
• You're (contraction of you are)
• Yourselves (plural reflexive pronoun)

Synonyms

• Thy (archaic)
• Thine (archaic)
• None

Antonyms

• My
• Our
• None

Usage

The determiner "your" is used to indicate possession or association with the addressee. For example, "Your car is parked outside."

It is also used to establish relationships or roles, as in "Your teacher will explain the assignment."

Related Terms

• You: The pronoun representing the person being addressed.
• Yours: The possessive pronoun indicating something belongs to the person being addressed.
• You're: A contraction of "you are."

Detailed Definitions

Determiner

• Belonging to or associated with the person or people being addressed: Used to show possession or relationship.
  • Example: "Is this your bag?"
• Used to refer to qualities or characteristics: Refers to something attributed to the addressee.
  • Example: "Your attitude needs to improve."
• In informal or rhetorical contexts: Indicates general ownership or relation.
  • Example: "You should read your classic novels."