English Language: Understanding Their, There, and They’re

April 10, 2024

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Their vs. There vs. They’re

English can be tricky sometimes, especially when it comes to similar-sounding words like ‘their,’ ‘there,’ and ‘they’re.’ Let’s break down the differences between them to help you remember when to use each one correctly.

Their

History: The word ‘their’ comes from Old Norse and was first used in Middle English.

How to use: Use ‘their’ to show possession or that something belongs to a group of people.

Trick to Remember: ‘Their’ has the word ‘heir’ in it, which can help you remember that it indicates ownership.

Example sentences:

  1. Their dog is very friendly.
  2. They left their books on the table.
  3. Her friends lost their way in the forest.
  4. The children are playing with their toys.
  5. Can I borrow their car for the weekend?

There

History: ‘There’ has its roots in Old English and has been used for a long time in the English language.

How to use: Use ‘there’ to specify a place or location.

Trick to Remember: ‘There’ contains the word ‘here,’ which can remind you that it refers to a place.

Example sentences:

  1. The park is over there.
  2. She is waiting for you there.
  3. Look! There is a rainbow in the sky.
  4. Can you see the cat over there?
  5. We will meet you there at 5 o’clock.

They’re

History: ‘They’re’ is a contraction of ‘they are’ and has been used in English for many years.

How to use: Use ‘they’re’ as a contraction for ‘they are.’

Trick to Remember: The apostrophe in ‘they’re’ represents the missing ‘a’ from ‘they are.’

Example sentences:

  1. They’re going to the beach tomorrow.
  2. Are they’re coming to the party?
  3. I think they’re ready to leave.
  4. Do you know where they’re going for vacation?
  5. Why they’re always late for meetings?

Summary:

‘Their’ shows possession, ‘there’ indicates a place, and ‘they’re’ is a contraction of ‘they are.’ Remember these tips and practice using these words to become more confident in your English writing and speaking.