Difference between There, Their, and They're

This confusing words lessons explains the difference between there, their, and they're, which often stump learners of English.

There, Their, and They're as Homophones,

These words are homophones, which means when spoken, they sound exactly the same, but they are spelled differently and have different meanings. This is what can make them so confusing.

We'll now look at the meaning of each and give some examples to illustrate each one.

There

There is a versatile word with multiple uses, but in this context, it is an adverb primarily serving as an indicator of a location or place.

Examples of 'There'

The park is over there, just across the street.
Can you please place the package over there on the table?
We are heading to the restaurant; meet us there at 7 PM.
The keys are not here; they must be over there on the shelf.
She pointed and said, "Look, there's a shooting star!"

Their

'Their' is a possessive pronoun indicating ownership or association. It is used when something belongs to a group of people and is most often used as a third-person pronoun.

Examples of 'Their'

The students forgot to pick up their textbooks after class.
The team celebrated their victory with a parade.
Every family has their unique traditions during the holidays.
The employees were proud of their company's achievements.
The volunteers donated their time to help the community.

They're

'They're' is a contraction, combining the words "they" and "are." It is used to represent the act of a group of individuals.

Examples of 'They're'

They're planning a surprise party for their friend.
I heard they're moving to a new city next month.
Despite the challenges, they're determined to succeed.
I can't believe they're already at the airport waiting for us.
They're the ones responsible for organizing the event.

Summing up

So this is the key difference between There, Their, and They're:

There = location
Their = possession
They're = contraction of 'They are'

Mastering the distinctions between "Their," "There," and "They're" is crucial for effective communication in written English. By understanding the specific grammatical roles each word plays, you can confidently navigate through sentences and convey your thoughts accurately.

Practice with diverse examples to reinforce these concepts, and soon, the confusion surrounding these homophones will be a thing of the past.

Test yourself in this There, Their, or They're Quiz

More Confusing Words:

Difference between affect and effect: Verb or Noun?
The difference between affect and effect is that while one is a noun, the other is a verb. So this will influence where you place the word in your sentence.
Difference Between Accept and Except
Do you know the difference between accept and except? One is about receiving something, the other about exclusion.
Be / Get Used to: Learn the Differences
Be / get used to is used to talk about something that one is familiar with or accustomed to. There are slight difference between 'be' and 'get'.
Is it complement or compliment?
Is it complement or compliment? One refers to enhancing something, the other expresses praise or admiration.
Zero Article Rules with Examples
Here we look at zero article rules with examples. We have no article when referring to general concepts, abstract nouns, proper nouns, and mass nouns.
Drank or Drunk: Advice on which to choose
Confused about whether to use drank or drunk? Drunk is actually the past participle used with the verb 'have'. So 'I have drunk a lot tonight'. 'Drank' is simply the past simple: 'I drank a lot last night'.
Every Day or Everyday? How to Choose
In choosing between every day or everyday you need to understand that one is a determiner plus noun while the other is an adjective.
Difference Between Emigrate and Immigrate
The difference between emigrate and immigrate can be confusing. While one means to leave one's own country or region, the other is to come.
Alot or A Lot Grammar Differences. Which should you use?
Which should you choose of these two words - alot or a lot? A lot means that there is many of something. For instance, 'There are a lot of people here'. Alot is actually not a word that exists, so don't use it!
Backward vs Backwards Grammar Differences Explained
Backward can be an adverb or an adjective. As an adjective it means regressive or undeveloped. As an adverb it indicates direction. So those are the Backward vs Backwards grammar differences. The 's' arises with differences between the US and the British Spellings.
Titled Versus Entitled: How to Choose
This lesson examines titled versus entitled. The words are very different in meaning so it's important to know which is correct.
Lose or Loose: Which to choose?
Choosing between lose or loose can be confusing for English learners. The difference though are fairly simple.
Anyway or Anyways Grammar. What's the difference?
Should you use anyway or anyways? Anyway is an adverb that has two meanings. One is 'regardless', the other is to indicate that you are returning to talk about some thing you were talking about before. Anyways has the same meanings but it is very informal English.
Its or It's: Grammar rules to know the difference
Simple rules for its or it's: "It's" with the apostrophe is the shortened form of "it is" or "it has": "It's (it is) hot today"; "It's (it has) been a long time since I saw you". "Its" on the other hand indicates the possessive: "The company increased its wages".
To vs Too: What is the difference?
Learn about to vs too. To is used as a preposition and to indicate moving towards something. Too means excessive or also. These two words are commonly confusing for English learners. To vs Too grammar mistakes will be noticeable so it's important to understand them.
Past tense of hang - Explanation and examples
In using the past tense of hang, there is often confusion over whether to use hanged or hung. Here we will explain the differences and which one is correct.
Past Tense of Fit - Explanation and Examples
The past tense of fit can be either fit or fitted as it very much depends on whether it's being used in American English or British English.
Past Tense of Feel: Choosing feel or felt
The past tense of feel is felt. We don't say feeled as feel is an irregular verb which means that it doesn't follow the usual pattern of past simple verbs.
What are the differences between bought and brought?
Do you know the differences between bought and brought? One is the past of "bring" and the other of "buy".
Differences Between Infer and Imply
Understand the differences between Infer and Imply with this explanation and example sentences.
How to Use Either and Neither with Examples
Advice on how to use either and neither in English grammar. They can be adjectives, adverbs, pronouns and conjunctions.
When to choose assure or ensure
Should you use assure or ensure? One means to give someone confidence, while the other means to make certain.
People Are or Is Grammar Explanation with Examples
Deciding whether to say people are or is in English grammar can be confusing but the explanation is in the difference between the plural and the singular.