Many learners struggle with there, their, and they’re, but this post will clear up the confusion with examples and tips. These three words are homophones — they sound the same but have different meanings and uses. That’s why they cause so much confusion, especially in writing.
This post will help you understand the difference between these words and teach you how to use them correctly with simple examples. Let’s dive in! 👇
Table of Contents
🟨 1. There — Refers to a Place or Is Used with “To Be” Verbs
There is used to refer to a location or to start a sentence when talking about the existence of something.
✅ Examples:
- Please put the keys over there.
- There is a book on the table.
- We went there last summer for a vacation.
📝 Tip: If you can replace the word with “here,” then there is likely the correct word.
🟩 2. Their — Shows Possession
Their is a possessive adjective. It shows that something belongs to them (a group of people).
✅ Examples:
- Their house is at the end of the street.
- The students turned in their homework.
- I love their new puppy!
📝 Tip: Try replacing “their” with “my” or “our.” If the sentence still makes sense, then their is the right choice.
🟦 3. They’re — A Contraction of “They Are”
They’re is simply the contraction of “they are.”
✅ Examples:
- They’re going to the park this afternoon.
- I hope they’re happy with the results.
- They’re not ready yet.
📝 Tip: If you can expand the word into “they are” and it makes sense, use they’re.
🎯 Quick Comparison Table:
| Word | Meaning | Use Example |
|---|---|---|
| There | Refers to a place or existence | There is a cat on the roof. |
| Their | Shows possession | Their car is parked outside. |
| They’re | They are | They’re watching a movie tonight. |
🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Mixing up their and they’re:
- Wrong: Their going to the concert.
- Right: They’re going to the concert.
❌ Confusing there and their:
- Wrong: We left the bags over their.
- Right: We left the bags over there.
🧠 Memory Tricks to Remember
- There = “here” → place
- Their = “heir” → ownership
- They’re = “they are” → contraction
Use these tricks while proofreading to catch mistakes before you hit publish or send!
✅ FAQs for “There, Their, and They’re”
❓ Question: What is the difference between there, their, and they’re?
💬 Answer:
There refers to a place or position (e.g., “Put the book over there.”).
Their shows possession (e.g., “It’s their house.”).
They’re is a contraction of “they are” (e.g., “They’re going to the park.”).
These words sound alike but serve different grammatical functions.
❓ Question: How do I remember when to use there, their, or they’re?
💬 Answer:
Here are some tips:
There contains “here” → Think of location.
Their contains “heir” → Indicates possession.
They’re is short for “they are” → Try replacing with “they are” to test it.
❓ Question: Can you give examples of sentences using there, their, and they’re?
💬 Answer:
Yes!
There: There is a new bakery on 5th Avenue.
Their: Their friends are coming over tonight.
They’re: They’re going on vacation next week.
❓ Question: Why do people confuse there, their, and they’re?
💬 Answer:
Because they are homophones—words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. This often leads to confusion in writing.
❓ Question: Is using there instead of their or they’re considered a grammar mistake?
💬 Answer:
Yes, it is a common grammar mistake. Using the wrong form can confuse your readers and reduce clarity. It’s important to use the correct word in context.
📘 Final Thoughts
Mastering the difference between there, their, and they’re is all about understanding their meanings and practicing usage. With a little time and attention, you’ll never mix them up again.