Their, there, and they’re — three little words that cause big confusion, even for experienced writers. They sound the same, but they mean very different things.
In this quick guide, we’ll break down what each word means, show you clear examples, and share easy ways to remember the difference so you can use them confidently in your writing.
1️⃣ Their: Possessive Adjective
Their shows ownership — it means something belongs to them.
👉 It comes before a noun to describe whose something is.
✅ Examples:
- Their house is on the corner. (The house belongs to them.)
- I saw their dog in the yard. (The dog belongs to them.)
- The students forgot their books at home. (The books belong to the students.)
💡 Quick check:
If you can replace the word with our and the sentence still makes sense, their is correct.
➡ Our house is on the corner.
➡ Our dog is in the yard.
✏️ Mini Quiz: Choose the correct use of their
👉 Fill in the blank with their if it fits.
1️⃣ I borrowed ______ car for the trip.
2️⃣ The team celebrated ______ victory.
3️⃣ The birds built ______ nest in the tree.
4️⃣ ______ going to the store later.
5️⃣ We visited ______ house last summer.
💡 Answers:
1️⃣ I borrowed their car for the trip. ✅
2️⃣ The team celebrated their victory. ✅
3️⃣ The birds built their nest in the tree. ✅
4️⃣ ❌ Incorrect — should be they’re (they are going to the store later).
5️⃣ We visited their house last summer. ✅
2️⃣ There: Place or Expletive
There is used in two main ways:
📍 1️⃣ To show a place or position (where something is)
📍 2️⃣ As a sentence starter or expletive (to introduce a statement)
✅ Examples — place:
- The keys are over there on the table.
- We went there last summer.
- Please put the books there.
✅ Examples — expletive/sentence starter:
- There is a book on the desk.
- There are many options to choose from.
- There was a loud noise outside.
👉 In these cases, there helps introduce or point to something that exists or happens.
💡 Quick check:
If there shows location, try replacing it with here or where. If that works, there is correct.
➡ The keys are over here.
If there introduces is, are, was, or were, you probably need there.
➡ There is a problem we need to solve.
3️⃣ They’re: Contraction of They Are
They’re is simply the shortened form of they are.
👉 It’s used when you want to combine the subject they with the verb are.
✅ Examples:
- They’re going to the park later. (They are going to the park.)
- I think they’re ready for the test. (They are ready for the test.)
- They’re planning a trip this summer. (They are planning a trip.)
💡 Quick check:
If you can replace they’re with they are and the sentence still makes sense, you’ve chosen the right word.
➡ They’re excited about the game. → They are excited about the game. ✅
➡ They’re house is blue. → They are house is blue. ❌ (You need their)
✏️ Mini Quiz: Choose they’re if it fits
👉 Fill in the blank with they’re if it makes sense:
1️⃣ I think ______ ready to leave.
2️⃣ ______ always late for meetings.
3️⃣ I met ______ parents yesterday.
4️⃣ ______ going to start without us.
5️⃣ ______ house is across the street.
💡 Answers:
1️⃣ They’re — I think they’re ready to leave. ✅
2️⃣ They’re — They’re always late for meetings. ✅
3️⃣ Their — should be their (possessive: their parents)
4️⃣ They’re — They’re going to start without us. ✅
5️⃣ Their — should be their (possessive: their house)
4️⃣ Easy Ways to Remember the Difference
💡 These quick memory tricks will help you choose the right word every time:
✅ Their = ownership / possession
👉 If you can replace it with our and the sentence still makes sense, their is correct.
- Their dog → Our dog
✅ There = place or sentence starter
👉 If you can replace it with here or where when showing location, there is probably correct.
- The books are over there. → The books are over here.
👉 If there introduces is, are, was, or were, it’s likely correct.
- There is a problem.
✅ They’re = they are
👉 Say they are in your head. If it fits, they’re is correct.
- They’re excited about the trip. → They are excited about the trip.
📌 Quick Test Sentence:
➡ ____ going to put ____ books over ____.
👉 Correct fill-in:
They’re going to put their books over there.
✏️ Practice Box: Fill in the blanks with their, there, or they’re
1️⃣ ______ going to be here soon.
2️⃣ We put the keys over ______.
3️⃣ I borrowed ______ jackets because it was cold.
4️⃣ ______ house is at the end of the street.
5️⃣ I don’t know if ______ ready.
6️⃣ Let’s meet over ______ after dinner.
💡 Answer Key:
1️⃣ They’re going to be here soon. ✅ (They are)
2️⃣ We put the keys over there. ✅ (place)
3️⃣ I borrowed their jackets because it was cold. ✅ (ownership)
4️⃣ Their house is at the end of the street. ✅ (ownership)
5️⃣ I don’t know if they’re ready. ✅ (They are)
6️⃣ Let’s meet over there after dinner. ✅ (place)
5️⃣ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mixing up their, there, and they’re is one of the most common errors in writing. Here are some frequent pitfalls and how to avoid them:
🚫 Mistake 1: Using they’re instead of their
- Wrong: They’re house is big.
- Right: Their house is big.
Tip: If you can say they are instead, use they’re. Otherwise, it’s probably their.
🚫 Mistake 2: Using their or they’re instead of there
- Wrong: Put the books over their.
- Right: Put the books over there.
Tip: There often points to a place or introduces something. If you can replace the word with here or where, there is correct.
🚫 Mistake 3: Using there instead of they’re
- Wrong: There going to be late.
- Right: They’re going to be late.
Tip: Remember they’re = they are. Try replacing it to check.
🚫 Mistake 4: Misspelling or typos
- Watch out for typos like thier or theire. These are easy to spot with spell check but watch for autocorrect mishaps!
💡 Proofreading Tips:
- Read sentences aloud to catch mistakes.
- Use grammar tools or apps to double-check.
- Practice writing sentences using each word correctly.
Mastering their, there, and they’re can feel tricky, but with a little practice and these simple tips, you’ll gain confidence and write with clarity.
Remember:
- Their shows ownership.
- There points to a place or introduces a statement.
- They’re is a contraction of they are.
Keep practicing with quizzes, reading carefully, and proofreading your work. Soon, these commonly confused words will become easy to spot and use correctly every time!