There vs Their vs They're
What’s the difference between them?
There
Meaning:
There is an adverb that refers to a place, person, or thing that is being indicated or mentioned.
Examples:
1) There is no need to worry about it.
2) There are many possibilities to consider.
3) There goes the bell for the end of recess.
Their
Meaning:
Their is a possessive pronoun used to refer to something belonging to or associated with the people or things previously mentioned or easily identified.
Examples:
1. Their house is located in the suburbs.
2. Their dog loves to chase squirrels.
3. They were very proud of their accomplishments.
They're
Meaning:
They're is a contraction of the words 'they' and 'are.'
Examples:
1. They're going to the store tomorrow.
2. They're the ones who made the decision.
3. They're the best friends I've ever had.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
There
There are no direct synonyms for this word.
Here
Their
There are no direct synonyms for this word.
Our
They're
they are
There are no direct antonyms for this word.
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "There", "Their", "They're".
1. Remember that 'There' indicates a place: 'There is a tree in the park.' There is a determiner.
2. Remember that 'Their' is a possessive pronoun: 'Their house is the one with the blue roof.'
3. Remember that 'They're' is a contraction of 'they are': 'They're going to the park.'
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Frequently asked questions
When to use the first word?
The word 'there' is used to indicate a place or location. For example, 'Put the book over there.' It can also be used to introduce an idea or statement. For example, 'There is a way to solve this problem.'
When to use the second word?
The word 'their' is used to indicate possession. For example, 'Their house is on the other side of town.' It can also be used to indicate a group or collective. For example, 'Their team won the championship.'
When to use the third word?
The word 'they’re' is a contraction of the words 'they' and 'are'. It is used to indicate a situation that involves two or more people. For example, 'They’re going to the mall later.'
Do the words have the same pronunciation?
All three words have similar pronunciation /ðer/, so you have pay attention to the context to use the correct word.
What are common mistakes associated with words?
Common mistakes associated with these three words are often made when trying to make a distinction between them. For example, the word 'there' is commonly used to indicate possession when 'their' is the correct word. Additionally, 'they’re' is often used when 'their' is the appropriate word. It is important to make sure you are using the correct word in the correct context to avoid confusion.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. ___ going to the concert tonight.
2. Is ___ a book on the table?
3. The children forgot ___ backpacks at school.
4. ___ a lot of people at the party last night.
5. The team showed ___ true potential in the final match.
6. How are they? I heard ___ not feeling well.
7. The cats are hungry; ___ bowls are empty.
8. ___ several reasons I cant join the event.
9. I believe ___ right about the solution.
1. Theyre going to the concert tonight.
Explanation: Theyre is a contraction for they are. The sentence implies they are going to the concert tonight.
2. Is there a book on the table?
Explanation: In this context, there is used to indicate the existence of something. The sentence asks if a book exists on the table.
3. The children forgot their backpacks at school.
Explanation: Their is a possessive adjective. The sentence speaks about the backpacks that belong to the children.
4. There were a lot of people at the party last night.
Explanation: There is used to indicate the existence of something. The sentence talks about the existence of many people at the party.
5. The team showed their true potential in the final match.
Explanation: Their is a possessive adjective. The sentence speaks about the potential that belongs to the team.
6. How are they? I heard theyre not feeling well.
Explanation: Theyre is a contraction for they are. The sentence implies they are not feeling well.
7. The cats are hungry; their bowls are empty.
Explanation: Their is a possessive adjective. The sentence speaks about the bowls that belong to the cats.
8. There are several reasons I cant join the event.
Explanation: There is used to introduce a topic or point out a fact. The sentence introduces the reasons the speaker cant join the event.
9. I believe theyre right about the solution.
Explanation: Theyre is a contraction for they are. The sentence implies they are right about the solution.
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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.