Write for Business - Blog

Your is a possessive pronoun showing ownership. You're is the contraction of "you are."

"Your job is only as big as you are."
- George C. Hubbs

"You're never wrong to do the right thing."
- Malcom Forbes

(From Write for Business, 2nd edition, page 302, and Proofreader's Guide PDF, page 52)

Wood is a noun or an adjective referring to the material trees are made of; would is a form of the verb "will."

I would not buy that wood to make the filing cabinets.

(From Write for Business, 2nd edition, page 302, and Proofreader's Guide PDF, page 52)

Who's is the contraction of "who is" or "who has." Whose is a possessive pronoun.

Who's in charge of cleanup?

"Whose life is it anyway?"
- Brian Clark

(From Write for Business, 2nd edition, page 302, and Proofreader's Guide PDF, page 52)

Who is used as the subject of a clause; whom is used as the object of a verb (direct object) or of a preposition.

To whom should I give this Internet proposal?

Give it to Ms. Brown, who is in charge of information technology services.

(From Write for Business, 2nd edition, page 302, and Proofreader's Guide PDF, page 52)

Who always refers to people. Which refers to nonliving objects or animals, never to people. That may refer to people, animals, or nonliving objects. In formal writing, use that to introduce restrictive (necessary) clauses and which to introduce nonrestrictive (unnecessary) clauses. (See page 4.)

The Altina Fitness Center, which was built last year, is filled to capacity after work.

The exercise and yoga classes that are offered there are especially popular.

(From Write for Business, 2nd edition, page 302, and Proofreader's Guide PDF, page 52)