Understand the difference between There, They’re or Their?
When most of us stop to think about it, we know the rules for “there” “they’re” and “their.” However, it’s easy to forget the differences between their, there, and they’re when we’re concentrating on the bigger picture. Mistakes in this area can be particularly hard to spot, especially since these words are often used interchangeably. To help clarify any confusion, here’s a quick reminder of their distinct meanings and uses.
‘There’ is positional. It indicates where something is: ‘over there’, ‘here or there’ and sometimes more loosely in expressions like ‘there now!’ or ‘there, there’. More often than not, if one of the alternatives below does not seem to make sense then ‘there’ is the term you need.
‘They’re’ is simply short for ‘they are’. When you’re checking through your work, every time you come across ‘there’, ‘they’re’ or ‘their’ it can be useful just to read the sentence to yourself inserting ‘they are’ instead. You will quickly realise if “they’re” is the form you need. You may choose to use the long form “they are” instead, as abbreviations are uncommon in academic writing.
‘Their’ is used to indicate that something belongs to ‘them’. Again, it is sometimes easier to check that you have this right once you have completed your work. If you’re unsure about the usage of these terms, try this method when reading through your work. Every time you come across “there,” “they’re,” or “their,” replace it with “belonging to them” and see if it fits.
So, instead of ‘their ideas’, ‘their research’ or ‘their paper’ try out ‘ideas belonging to them’, ‘research belonging to them’ and ‘paper belonging to them’ in your head. You will quickly see when ‘their’ is the appropriate word.
Homophones like ‘their, there, and they’re‘ are a common source of spelling errors. To see a broader list of frequently confused homophones and avoid common mistakes, visit our homophones guide.
It’s easy to mix up words like there, they’re, and their, even if you know the rules. These words sound the same but have different meanings, so using the right one makes your writing clearer and more professional. Here are some quick tips to help you keep them straight:
Quick Tip for ‘There’
Think of ‘there’ as pointing to a place or position. For example, “Look over there!” or “Is anyone there?” If the sentence makes sense when you’re talking about a place or position, then ‘there’ is likely the right choice.
Quick Tip for ‘They’re’
Remember, ‘they’re’ is just short for “they are.” If you can replace the word with “they are” and the sentence still makes sense, then ‘they’re’ is correct. For example, “They’re coming to the party” could also be written as “They are coming to the party.” In formal writing, especially academic work, you may want to write out “they are” instead.
Quick Tip for ‘Their’
Use ‘their’ to show that something belongs to a group of people. For example, “their ideas” means “the ideas that belong to them.” If you’re unsure, try replacing ‘their’ with “belonging to them” to see if it fits. For instance, “Their car is blue” would make sense as “The car belonging to them is blue.”
Double-Checking Tip
When proofreading, a simple trick is to pause each time you see there, they’re, or their. Swap each one with “a place,” “they are,” or “belonging to them” to double-check you’ve used the right one.
Mistakes with homophones like there, they’re, and their are common but easy to fix with practice. Check out our guide to other confusing homophones to help keep your writing polished and clear.
Like so many of our customers, do you need help with your writing? We offer expert proofreading and editing services tailored to your specific needs. Our goal is to ensure your writing is polished, professional, and clear. Whether you’re working on an academic paper, business document, or any other written content, we will help refine your language and enhance the overall quality of your work. Contact us today by visiting our website or giving us a call and see how we can help!
Additional Resources
Explore these further resources to enhance your understanding of the differences between the words ‘There, They’re or Their’ and delve deeper into other related grammar topics:
- Grammarly Blog – Their vs. There vs. They’re
Grammarly offers a clear and concise guide on the differences between “their,” “there,” and “they’re,” including tips to avoid common mistakes.
- BBC Bitesize – Their, There, They’re
BBC Bitesize offers educational content for younger learners, but its simple explanations and interactive activities can benefit anyone struggling with these words.
- How to spell ‘Does’
Further enhance your grasp of English verbs and their applications by exploring our comprehensive guide on ‘How Do You Spell ‘Does‘. This article delivers crucial insights into accurate spelling and grammar to help refine your writing skills.
- Ware or Wear? Whats the Difference?
Struggling with homophones like ‘ware’ and ‘wear’? Our blog post delves into these commonly confused words, providing clear explanations to help you master their usage. Discover more by reading our guide on ‘Ware or Wear‘ and enhance your writing skills.
