The Clearest Guide to Understanding 'Their', 'There', and 'They’re'

The English language is rich with vocabulary, but sometimes it can be tricky to distinguish between homophones, words that sound similar but have different spellings and meanings. 'Their', 'there', and 'they’re' are a perfect example of this challenge. These words are commonly confused, but with a bit of understanding, you'll be able to use them correctly in any context. Let's break it down.

Their - Possessive Adjective

'Their' is a possessive adjective, which means it indicates ownership. It is used to show that something belongs to a person or group of people. For example:

I asked them for their opinion on this matter.

In this sentence, 'their' is showing ownership of the opinion. The word 'their' does not have an apostrophe because it is not contracted from 'they are.' Think of 'their' as a possessive container that holds the noun it modifies. For example:

The girls grabbed their hats and ran out the door!

There - Adverb of Place

'There' is an adverb of place, used to indicate that something exists or is located in a particular place. It is often used to refer to a location away from the speaker, or to suggest the existence of something:

I thought they were here but they are over there.

In this sentence, 'there' indicates a location away from the speaker. Remember the mnemonic: 'there' is like 'here'; if something is not 'here,' it must be 'there.' Here is a simple example to further clarify:

This house is mine. That house is theirs.

Theyre - Contraction of 'They Are'

Theyre is the contraction of 'they are.' It is used when 'they' and 'are' are combined to form a sentence. Notice the apostrophe in the middle of the word, which signifies the omission of a letter or letters:

They're eating their picnic over there.

In this example, 'they're' is a contraction for 'they are.' Here are some other examples to help you remember:

They're going back there next year on their wedding anniversary.

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The apostrophe in 'theyre' serves as a visual reminder that 'they are' is a contraction. Remember, the apostrophe tells you that this is not just 'their.' Instead, it is a blend of two words, 'they' and 'are.'

Practical Examples

Here are a few sentences to help you practice:

Pamela and Jason went to Hong Kong for their honeymoon and had a wonderful time there.

In this sentence, 'their' is showing possession, and 'there' is indicating the location where they had their honeymoon. Meanwhile, the next part is a perfect opportunity to use a contraction correctly:

They're going back there next year on their wedding anniversary.

Conclusion

By understanding the different uses and correct spellings of 'their,' 'there,' and 'they're,' you can greatly improve your ability to write and speak English properly. The key is to remember that 'their' shows ownership, 'there' indicates a place, and 'they're' is just 'they are' combined. With practice, you'll be a pro at using these homophones correctly.

Additional Resources

To further your understanding, check out these resources:

Separate Words That Are Contracted Vocabulary Practice: Contraction English Page: Using 'To' with Infinitives