There, Their, Or They’re

Introduction

If you’ve ever found yourself grappling with the distinctions between “there“, “their“, and “they’re“, you’re not alone. Although these three words share a similar pronunciation, each serves a unique purpose in English.

In this blog post, we’ll unravel the mystery surrounding these words, providing you with a clear roadmap to navigate through their correct usage.

What is the difference between “there”, “their” and “they’re”?

The difference between “there,” “their,” and “they’re” lies in their meanings and uses:

1. There: Refers to a place or location. Example: “The book is over there on the shelf.”
2. Their: Shows possession, indicating that something belongs to a group of people. Example: “The students forgot to take their backpacks.”
3. They’re: A contraction of “they are.” Example: “They’re going to the movies tonight.”

In simple words, “there” is about a place, “their” shows ownership, and “they’re” is a short way to say “they are.”

Word	Meaning	Example Sentence
There	Refers to a place or location	The park is over there.
Their	Shows possession	The children forgot their homework.
They’re	Contraction of “they are”	They’re going to the party tonight.

Now, let’s delve into a closer examination of each of these words to gain a more comprehensive understanding. We’ll explore the specific meanings and usage nuances of “there,” “their,” and “they’re” to ensure clarity in their application.

Uses Of There

Now, let’s explore the various uses of “there” in more detail:

1. Pronoun, Dummy Subject:
   • Used as a pronoun (or dummy subject)
     • “There is a cat on the roof.”
2. Adverb of Place:
   • Used as an adverb of place denoting a location.
     • I left my keys over there on the table.
     • The party is taking place right over there, by the large oak tree in the park.
3. Adjective:
   • “There” may function as an adjective modifying a noun. It is used for emphasis, especially after a noun that is modified by a demonstrative adjective.
     • That person there ought to know the directions to town. (There modifies “that person“.)
     • Ask that man there. (There modifies “that man” .)
     • The woman there helped me a lot. (There modifies “the woman “.)
     • Those boys there are the ones who stole the cookies. (There modifies “those boys “.)
4. Noun:
   • “There” may also function as a noun.
     • “We visited that place near there.”
     • “We left there early in the morning.”
     • I’ll get everything ready, and you take it from there.
     • He stopped and went on from there.
5. Interjection/Exclamation:
   • Used to express defiance, dismay, satisfaction, etc.
     • There, I’ve made it!
     • There, now I can have some peace!
     • There! It’s done.
   • Used to express sympathy, concern, etc. when repeated.
     • There, there! Don’t worry. Everything will be alright.

Uses of Their

“Their” is a possessive determiner indicating that something belongs or is related to a group of people, animals, or things.

1. Indicating Ownership or Relation to a Group:
   • The students forgot to bring their textbooks.
   • The birds built their nests in the trees.
   • This is their house.
   • Have you met their son?
   • Can you give me their phone number?
   • The children were proud of their artwork on display.
2. Gender-Neutral Possessive:
   • Each student should bring their own lunch.
   • A person should be proud of their achievements.
   • Every employee should take pride in their success.
   • A scientist should be dedicated to their research for the benefit of all.
   • Each author is responsible for their own writing style.

Uses of they’re

“They’re” is a contraction, combining the words “they” and “are.”

In all the examples below, “they’re” is a contraction for “they are”:

1. “They’re going to the concert tonight.”
2. “I think they’re the right candidates for the job.”
3. “Why do you think they’re late?”

Example Sentences

Here are example sentences of the three words:

1. The students left their backpacks over by the tree.
2. I told them that the restaurant was right over there on the corner.
3. The children are playing in their backyard.
4. We left the keys over there on the counter.
5. The workers forgot to bring their tools.
6. The researchers presented their findings, and now we are discussing the implications of their findings.
7. The travelers realized they were not sure how to get there without a map.
8. The family set up their picnic blanket right over there under the big oak tree.
9. I heard a noise over there in the bushes.
10. There, everything will be fine.
11. The hikers set up camp over there, near the edge of the serene lake.
12. The students left their backpacks in the classroom, eagerly anticipating the weekend.
13. Look over there at the magnificent sunset painting the sky with warm hues.
14. The family gathered around their dinner table, sharing stories and laughter.

Summary

Here’s a summary table of the uses of “there,” “their,” and “they’re”:

Word	Meaning or Use	Examples
There	Pronoun, dummy subject; Adverb of place; Noun; Interjection/Exclamation	– “There is a cat on the roof.” – “I left my keys over there on the table.” – “We visited that place near there.” – “There, I’ve done it anyway!”
Their	Indicates ownership or relation to a group; Gender-neutral possessive	– “The students forgot to bring their textbooks.” – “A person should be proud of their achievements.”
They’re	Contraction of “they are”	– “They’re going to the concert tonight.”

Conclusion

The words “there,” “their“, and “they’re” are different. “Their” indicates possession. “There” may function as an adverb, an adjective, a noun, or an interjection. Finally, “they’re” is a short form of the pronoun “they” and “are“.

Related materials

• Exercise: they’re, their, or there
• More confused words