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There, Their and They're: Grammar Guide

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There, Their and They're

There, their and they're are homonyms. Homonyms are two or more words that sound alike but have different meanings. Some examples are: write and right, dew and do, your and you're, and there, their, and they're. I see the misuse of these last three words often in writing. Here is the basic breakdown with examples.

There

There denotes a place and means in, at, or to that place.

  • I want to go over there for a better view of the stage.
  • Could you please place the signs over there?
  • There is a very good reason for his persistence.

Their

Their is a determiner belonging to them, a possessive pronoun.

  • Are you going in their car?
  • I want to be a part of their team.
  • Their song was the best of the set.

They're

They're is the contraction of they are. If you can replace they're with "they are", then you have used the correct homonym.

  • They're going to go to the ballpark at 1:00.
  • I want to see what they're doing after the game.
  • They said that they're going to a pub.

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Comments

abhimanyu 3 years ago

good work, keep it up.

j 3 years ago

hey if i said there is a faster way of making money. is that the right there

Robin 5 years ago

Hi Riccardo,

Yes, homophones and homonyms do have a distinction, but it is becoming more commonplace to call both of these meanings homonyms. I appreciate the comment.

Riccardo Ettore 5 years ago

I just "stumbled" upon this page and I believe these are homophones, that is, words that SOUND the same but are spelled differently (Homonyms are words with the same spelling but with different meanings).

Now, if only you could find a way to stop people using it's when they mean its and let's when it should be lets :-)

Hope this helps,Riccardo

Alice 5 years ago

This is exactely what I was looking for AAAA+.

Robin 5 years ago

Hi Todd,

I'm so glad it helped! Thanks for reading!! ;)

Todd 5 years ago

I've had problems with there/their all my life. I think I can finally say I now understand. Thanks a bunch, Robin.

Robin 5 years ago

I don't think that I said that I don't mind if you added the link to your syllabus. I am flattered. Sorry if you were at all confused. ;)

Robin 5 years ago

Thanks, Chuck! I appreciate the great compliment! ;) Robin

Chuck 5 years ago

Great article, Robin. I enjoy all of your articles, but this one hit home as I frequently see these three words used interchangeably in the papers my students submit. I teach economics at a community college, but often find myself doubling as an unofficial writing instructor for my students. If you don’t mind, I will add links to this and some of your other grammar articles in my online syllabus. Keep up the good work!

Robin  5 years ago

Hi Nirosha,

Here's a great page on the use of articles. http://www.learn4good.com/languages/evrd_grammar/a You are correct, your sentence does need the article "the" before needed skills because the noun, needed skills, is specific. Thanks for your comment! Robin

Nirosha_7teen 5 years ago

Hi Robin!

I'd like to suggest that you write a hub on the correct use of articles.I find it confusing at times to decide which article is to be used when and when is it that I am supposed to avoid the use of one. ;(

I think the following sentence needs 'the' after 'with'.

He equipped them with needed skills.

Am I right?

Robin 5 years ago

I'm glad it helped. If you have any other grammar questions, let me know and I'll try to write a hub on it. Robin

geek 5 years ago

Thanks real helpfull!

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