There vs. Their vs. They’re – Which is Correct?

There, their, and they’re are frequently confused homophones in English, each serving a distinct grammatical purpose. There indicates a place or introduces a sentence. Their is a possessive determiner showing ownership. They’re is a contraction of “they are.” Mastering these distinctions is crucial for clear and professional communication.

There, Their, or They’re – Which is Correct?

The confusion between there, their, and they’re stems primarily from their identical pronunciations, making them classic homophones. However, their meanings and grammatical functions are entirely different. Understanding these core distinctions is the first step to using them correctly in your writing.

• There: This word primarily functions as an adverb of place, pointing to a location (“Go over there“). It can also act as an expletive pronoun, used to introduce a sentence where the true subject comes later (“There are many reasons for this”).
• Their: This is a possessive determiner (sometimes called a possessive adjective). It indicates that something belongs to or is associated with “them” (“It is their responsibility”).
• They’re: This is a contraction, a shortened form of “they are.” The apostrophe signifies the missing letter ‘a’ (“They’re going to the concert”).

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

The most effective trick to distinguish between these three words is the “swap test” for they’re and a visual cue for there:

• For “They’re”: Always try replacing they’re with “they are.” If the sentence still makes sense, then they’re is the correct choice. For example, “They’re happy” becomes “They are happy.” This works every time.
• For “There”: Think of the word “here.” Both “there” and “here” refer to a place and share the letters “h-e-r-e.” This visual link can help you remember that there is about location.
• For “Their”: This is the possessive word. While there isn’t a direct phonetic trick, remember it shows possession. You can think of “heir” (someone who inherits and possesses) within “their” to connect it to ownership, although this is less direct than the other two tricks.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
There	Adverb of place, Expletive Pronoun	Indicates a location, or introduces a sentence/clause	“The keys are over there.” / “There is a solution.”
Their	Possessive Determiner	Shows possession, belonging to “them”	“It was their decision.”
They’re	Contraction	Short for “they are”	“They’re waiting for us.”

How to Use There

The word there has two primary functions in English: as an adverb of place and as an expletive pronoun.

Beyond understanding ‘they are,’ exploring the distinctions between They Are vs. They Were can refine your verb usage.

As an adverb of place, “there” indicates a specific location, often contrasting with “here.” It answers the question “where?”

As an expletive pronoun (also known as a dummy pronoun), “there” is used to introduce a sentence or clause, particularly when the true subject follows the verb. In these cases, “there” doesn’t refer to a specific place but rather serves a grammatical function to set up the sentence structure. For example, in “There is a cat,” “a cat” is the real subject.

Example 1 (Adverb of Place): “Could you please put the box over there on the top shelf?”

Example 2 (Expletive Pronoun): “There are several critical points we need to discuss in the meeting today.”

Example 3 (Expletive Pronoun with a singular verb): “There is no doubt that the team will succeed with adequate support.”

Etymology of the word There

The word “there” comes from Old English þǣr or þār, meaning “in that place,” “to that place,” or “at that time.” It is related to other Germanic words indicating place or direction and shares a root with “that” and “then.” Its use as an expletive pronoun developed later in the language.

How to Use Their

Their is a possessive determiner, meaning it’s used before a noun to show ownership or association. It specifies that something belongs to or is connected with “them” (a group of people or things). It’s crucial to remember that their never uses an apostrophe, as it is already a possessive form, unlike contractions.

It functions similarly to other possessive determiners like “my,” “your,” “his,” “her,” “its,” and “our.”

Example 1: “The students submitted their projects before the deadline.”

Example 2: “The company announced their quarterly earnings report this morning.”

Example 3: “My neighbors are very proud of their new garden.”

Etymology of the word Their

“Their” entered English from Old Norse þeira, which was the genitive plural of þeir (they). It gradually replaced the Old English possessive pronoun hiera or heora. The adoption of “their” from Norse influence is a notable example of how different linguistic strains shaped the English language.

How to Use They’re

They’re is a contraction of the two words “they are.” The apostrophe in they’re signifies the omitted letter ‘a’. This is its only function. If you can replace they’re with “they are” in a sentence and it still makes grammatical sense, then you’ve used it correctly. Using they’re correctly demonstrates a clear understanding of basic English contractions.

Contractions like they’re are common in both spoken and written English, especially in informal or semi-formal contexts. In very formal writing, it’s often preferred to use the full form “they are.”

Example 1: “They’re planning a surprise party for their friend next month.”

Example 2: “The new recruits are very eager; they’re ready to start training immediately.”

Example 3: “I heard they’re going to announce the winners of the competition tomorrow.”

Etymology of the word They’re

“They’re” is a relatively modern contraction, formed by combining the pronoun “they” with the verb “are.” Contractions became more prevalent in English as the language evolved towards more concise and informal communication, especially from the 17th century onwards. The apostrophe’s use to indicate omitted letters became standardized during this period.

Related Concepts

Understanding broader grammatical concepts helps solidify the correct usage of “there,” “their,” and “they’re.” These words are often confused due to their shared pronunciation, but their distinct roles are foundational to English grammar.

• Homophones: These are words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings. “There,” “their,” and “they’re” are prime examples, highlighting the importance of spelling for meaning in English.
• Contractions: A contraction is a shortened form of one or two words, in which an apostrophe replaces the omitted letters. “They’re” is a common contraction, illustrating how apostrophes are used to signify missing letters, not possession.
• Possessive Determiners: These are words (like “their,” “my,” “your”) that precede a noun to show ownership or a close relationship. They function as adjectives, modifying the noun that follows them.

Examples from Media and Literature

Observing these words in context can reinforce their correct usage. Here are a few examples:

• “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” This famous line from George Orwell’s Animal Farm, though not directly using the words, sets up a hierarchical system where one might say, “There is a clear power imbalance among their ranks, even though they’re supposed to be equal.”
• From a news report about climate change: “Scientists warn that if current trends continue, there will be irreversible damage to our planet, impacting future generations and their ability to thrive.”
• In a movie dialogue: “I don’t know if they’re coming to the party tonight. I haven’t heard back from their assistant yet, but I left a message there on their voicemail.”
• A common phrase often seen in signs: “Please leave your belongings there.”
• From a business email: “The team is confident in their proposal, and they’re presenting it to the board next week.”

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The children left (there / their / they’re) toys scattered across the living room.
2. (There / Their / They’re) going to announce the winner of the competition at noon.
3. Is (there / their / they’re) enough food for everyone at the picnic?
4. The birds built (there / their / they’re) nest in the tall oak tree.
5. I heard that (there / their / they’re) renovating the old library next year.

Answer Key

1. their
2. They’re
3. there
4. their
5. they’re

There Synonyms

While “their” and “they’re” are grammatical function words without direct synonyms, “there” can have synonyms when referring to a location or a point in time.

Synonym	Definition
Yonder	At some distance in the direction indicated (often archaic or literary).
Thither	To or toward that place (archaic).
At that point	Referring to a specific location or moment in time.
Over there	Indicating a location at some distance, often with a gesture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can “there” be used as a pronoun?
Yes, “there” can function as an expletive pronoun (or dummy pronoun). In sentences like “There is a problem,” “there” is not referring to a place but is used to introduce the actual subject (“a problem”).

Question 2: Is “their’s” a correct word?
No, “their’s” is never correct. The possessive pronoun is “theirs” (e.g., “The book is theirs”), which already indicates possession and does not require an apostrophe. The word “their” is a possessive determiner (e.g., “their book”).

Question 3: When should I use “they’re” in formal writing?
While “they’re” is grammatically correct, it is a contraction and generally considered more informal. In highly formal academic papers, legal documents, or very professional reports, it is often advisable to use the full form “they are” to maintain a more formal tone.

Conclusion

The distinctions between there, their, and they’re are fundamental to clear and precise English writing. While their identical pronunciations can be a source of confusion, remembering that there relates to place (like “here”), their indicates possession, and they’re is a contraction of “they are” will prevent common errors. Consistent application of these rules significantly enhances the clarity and professionalism of your communication.

Pro Tip: Always proofread your work, especially for homophone errors. Misusing “there,” “their,” or “they’re” is a common mistake that can undermine your credibility, even in otherwise well-written content. A quick read-through with these distinctions in mind can save you from unnecessary grammatical slip-ups.