How to Use “There”, “Their”, and “They’re”
There are many problems in English, for example, the correct use of there, their, and they’re. Most English speakers pronounce these words in the same way or sound (words known as homophones); thus, it is difficult for some to determine which pronunciation to use. Each pronunciation has a completely different meaning. Communicating clearly and correctly is important, for example in written correspondence or business or academic writing.
1. Use there when referring to a place.
Places can be something concrete ( over there by the building ) or more abstract ( it must be difficult to live there ).
2. Also use there with the verb to be.
There plus the verb to be ( be, is,am, are, was, were ) indicates the presence of something, or mentioning something for the first time.
1. There is an antique store on Camden Avenue. ( There is an antique shop on Camden Avenue).
2. There are many documents that are used in investigations. ( There are many documents used in the investigation).
3. There is a picnic area over here, and a monster and a campground across the river. ( There is a picnic area there, and a monster and a campsite across the river).
4. “I see there are new flowers coming up in your garden.” “Yes, they are the ones my grandmother gave me last year.” (“I noticed some new flowers blooming in your garden.” “Yes, those are the flowers my grandmother gave me last year”).
3. Remember that they’re is short for they and are.
This word can never be used as a modifier, only as a subject (who or what is doing the action) and a verb (the action itself).
1. They’re my best friends. ( They are my friends).
2. I would go to the movies, but they’re already waiting for me. (I’m going to the cinema, but they are already waiting for me).
4. Use their to express ownership.
Their is a possessive adjective and indicates that a certain noun belongs to them ( them ).
1. My friends have lost their tickets. (My friends lost their tickets ).
2. Their things were strewn about the office haphazardly. ( Their belongings are scattered all over the office chaotically).
5. Recognize faulty examples and learn from them.
By looking at other people’s work with a critical eye, especially by offering proofreading or copy-editing, you can become more sensitive to proper use and practice on your own.
1. Salah: There is no one here.
2. Salah: Shelley wants to know if there busy.
3. Salah: The dogs are happily chewing on they’re bones.
4. BENAR: I can’t believe they’re leaving their children there, alone!
6. Ask the examiner questions yourself.
When you use any of these three words, make it a habit to ask yourself these questions. However, keep in mind that these queries may not work in all cases:
1. If you wrote there, would the sentence still make sense if you replaced it with here? If so, you are using this word correctly.
2. If you had their, would the sentence still make sense if you replaced it with our? If still, you have chosen the correct word.
3. If you used they’re, would the sentence make sense if you replaced them with they are? If it still is, you’re right!
7. Practices these steps 1-3 Times Every day.
Ask your English teacher or a friend to say aloud a few sentences using one of these three words and write down which version they use. Look for grammar quizzes online. Hire a private English tutor if you are still having trouble.
Here are a few suggestions for you.
1. Another hint: there has the word here in it to remind you that it refers to a place, whereas their has the word heir in it to remind you that it has to do with possession.
2. Turn off the auto-correct feature in your word processor. People tend to be lazy and forget certain rules when the computer automatically fixes the mistakes listed above.
3. Try to imagine this scene: You see your neighbors standing outside their house, picking up trash they accidentally dropped on the ground. You point at them and say to your friend: Look over there [ place], they’re [they are ] picking up their rubbish [possession ].
4. If you have there is or there are, it is always there – you would never say they’re is or they’re are or their is or their are.
5. If you’ve determined that they’re or their is not the correct form, there is the word you should use!
6. Remember there, their, and they’re with the following rules:
1. t here: the word here is inside there, so there refers to the word for place.
2. t he ir: the word he is inside their, so their refers to the word for person.
3. they’re: has a ‘ inside they’re, so they’re is like they are. Instead of saying they’re, say they are to see if the sentence makes sense.
7. Describe your abbreviation or abbreviations. Replace can’t with cannot, you’re with you are, and they’re with they are. This way, you’ll notice if you made a typo.
1. The students misplaced they’re books will come: The students misplaced they are books.
2. Here, the second sentence doesn’t make sense; thus, this usage is inappropriate.
8. If you’re not sure if you’re using their correctly, try replacing it with my – the sentence should still be correct with that replacement. For example, Their house is purple. If you replace their with my, the sentence will still make sense: My house is purple. So you know you are using their correctly.