Theirs vs There's
What’s the difference between them?
Theirs
Meaning:
Possessive singular pronoun used to refer to a thing or things belonging to them.
Examples:
1. They didn't want to share their toys, so each kept theirs.
2. The family celebrated the success of theirs.
3. The decision was ultimately theirs to make.
There's
Meaning:
contraction of 'there' and 'is.'
Examples:
1. 'There's a light at the end of the tunnel.'
2. 'There's something special about this place.'
3. 'There's no need to worry, everything will be alright.'
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Theirs
1. Their belongings
2. Possessions
3. Property
4. What belongs to them
5. What is theirs
1. Ours
2. Mine
3. Not Theirs
4. Belonging to Us
5. Not Belonging to Them
There's
1. Exists
2. There is
3. Here
4. Present
5. Prevalent
1. Absent
2. Lacking
3. Away
4. Missing
5. Nowhere to be found
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Theirs", "There's".
1. Remember that 'theirs' is possessive, so it refers to something that 'belongs' to them.
2. To remember that 'there's' is a contraction, think of the phrase 'there is,' and then shorten it to 'there's.'
3. To help distinguish between 'theirs' and 'there's,' try using the mnemonic phrase 'they have theirs' to remind yourself that 'theirs' is possessive.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
When should the possessive singular pronoun 'theirs' be used?
The possessive singular pronoun 'theirs' should be used to refer to a thing or things belonging to them. For example, 'That book is theirs' or 'Those books are theirs'.
When is the appropriate context for using the contraction 'there's'?
The contraction 'there's' should be used as an abbreviated form of 'there is' or 'there has'. For example, 'There's a car in the driveway' or 'There's been a lot of changes'.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, the two words do not share the same pronunciation. 'Theirs' is pronounced with a long 'e' sound, while 'there's' is pronounced with a short 'e' sound.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One common mistake people make when using these two words is confusing them with each other; 'theirs' is a possessive pronoun and 'there's' is a contraction. Another mistake is forgetting to add an apostrophe after the 'e' in 'there's'.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. _____ a new cafe down the street that you might like.
2. Whose notebook is this? Its not _____.
3. I have my own opinions, and _____ are different.
4. _____ not much time left before the store closes.
5. We can use my car today; _____ is at the mechanic.
6. _____ a belief that hard work eventually pays off.
1. theres
Explanation: The sentence is referring to the existence of a new cafe, so theres (there is) is the appropriate choice.
2. theirs
Explanation: In this context, the sentence is trying to determine ownership of the notebook, so theirs (belonging to them) is the correct word.
3. theirs
Explanation: The term here is indicating a difference in opinion between the speaker and others, so theirs (the opinions of others) is the appropriate word.
4. theres
Explanation: The sentence is indicating the amount of time remaining, thus theres (there is) is suitable.
5. theirs
Explanation: This sentence is about the ownership of a car, so theirs (belonging to them) is the right choice.
6. theres
Explanation: The sentence is introducing a belief or idea, so theres (there is) is the correct option.
Get a gift by subscribing to our newsletter!
Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.