There, Their, or They're?

What Is the Difference between "There," "Their," and "They're"?

"There," "their," and "they're" sound similar, but they have very different meanings. It is important to understand the difference between these words because using the wrong one is considered a basic mistake.

"There" is a place.

• I live there.
• There are lots of shops.

"There" is like "here," which is also a place. This is easy to remember because "there" contains the word "here."

"Their" is for possession.

• I understand their argument.

"Their" is just like "my," "his," "her," and "our," which are also used to show possession.

"They're" is short for "they are."

• Where are the rabbits? They're near the tree.

If you cannot expand it to "they are," then you shouldn't be using "they're."

Its Your Go!

Select the right one to fill the gap.

More about "They're," "Their," and "There"

"There," "their," and "they're" are common words, and your readers will expect you to use the right one.

They're

"They're" is a contraction of "they are." It can always be expanded to "they are." This is a 100% rule!

Example sentences with "they're":

• They're not leaving on Saturday now.
(Do the expansion test: "They are not leaving on Saturday now.")
• I cannot believe they're from Boston.
(Test: "I cannot believe they are from Boston.")
• More than 20 people left they're coats in the cloakroom.
(Test: "More than 20 people left they are coats in the cloakroom." This is nonsense. Therefore, "they're" is wrong.)
• My doctor gave me two weeks to live. I hope they're in August. (Comedian Ronnie Shakes)
(Test: "I hope they are in August.")
• Things are only impossible until they're not. (Captain Jean-Luc Picard)
(Test: "Things are only impossible until they are not.")

Their

"Their" is for possession. It is like "my," "your," "his," "her," "its," and "our." These are called possessive determiners ("possessive adjectives" in traditional grammar).

Example sentences with "their":

• Can you show the guests to their cabins?
(Do the "our" test: "Can you show the guests to our cabins?"
This sounds okay. Therefore, "their" is correct.)
• I have seen their footprints before.
(Test: "I have seen our footprints before."
This sounds okay. Therefore, "their" is correct.)
• Their all leaving.
(Test: "Our all leaving."
This is nonsense. Therefore, "their" is wrong. It should be "They're.")
• Their less likely to cause offence.
(Test: "Our less likely to cause offence."
This is nonsense. Therefore, "their" is wrong. It should be "They're.")
• Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes. (Playwright Oscar Wilde)

There

"There" is like "here" because it represents a place. ("There" and "here" are both adverbs of place.) "There" has two uses:

(1) It means a specific place.

• She is there.

(2) It means that something exists.

• There are two apples.

More example sentences with "there":

• The Germans are over there.
(In this example, "there" is a specific place.)
• There is a good reason I'm not attending the party this year.
(In this example, it means "a good reason exists.")

Ready for All 3?

Here is an example with "they're," "their," and "there."

• They're unqualified, and their opinions were worthless while they were there.

A Video Summary

This 5-minute video summarizes "there," "their," and "they're." video lesson

Are you a visual learner? Do you prefer video to text? Here is a list of all our grammar videos.

You might also like...

Help us improve...