Their, There, & They’re: The Ultimate Visual Guide
These three words sound identical but do three different jobs: their shows ownership, there points to a place, and they’re means “they are.” This guide gives you a quick chart, simple tests, and mental pictures so you never mix them up again.
At a Glance
Word | What it does | Quick test | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
their | shows that people or things own something | Could you swap in “our” or “my”? | The kids left their shoes by the door. |
there | points to a place, or introduces an idea | Could you swap in “here”? | Put the box over there. |
they’re | short for “they are” | Does “they are” fit? | They’re running late. |
Their: The Ownership Word
Their is a possessive pronoun. It tells you something belongs to a group of people, animals or things. It always sits before a noun.
- The students finished their homework.
- The birds built their nest in the oak tree.
Test it: replace “their” with “our.” If the sentence still makes sense, “their” is the right choice. “The students finished our homework” is odd, but the grammar holds, so the word is a possessive.
There: The Place Word
There has two main jobs. First, it names a location: “The library is over there.” Second, it introduces a fact or idea: “There are three apples on the table.”
Test it: replace “there” with “here.” If it works, you want “there.” Notice that both words contain the same letters, “-here,” which is a handy reminder that both deal with places.
They’re: The Contraction
They’re squeezes “they are” into one word. The apostrophe replaces the missing letter “a.”
- They’re planning a trip to Goa.
- I think they’re already inside.
Test it: say “they are” in place of the word. If the sentence still reads naturally, use “they’re.” If it sounds wrong, you need a different word.
Picture It: Memory Visuals
Sometimes a mental image sticks better than a rule. Try these:
- Their = heir. Look for the word “heir” hiding inside “their.” An heir inherits things, and “their” shows what someone owns.
- There = here + T. Picture a map with a pin. “Here” marks your spot, and “there” is the same word with a “T,” like a signpost pointing away.
- They’re = a missing letter. Imagine the apostrophe as a tiny bandage covering the spot where the “a” in “are” used to be.
The Three-Step Check
When you’re unsure, run this fast routine:
- Say “they are.” If it fits, write they’re.
- If not, say “here.” If it fits, write there.
- If neither fits, the word shows ownership, so write their.
Common Mistakes, Fixed
Incorrect | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
Their going to the market. | They’re going to the market. | “They are going” makes sense. |
The team lost there match. | The team lost their match. | The match belongs to the team. |
They’re car is parked over their. | Their car is parked over there. | The car belongs to them, and “there” marks the place. |
Their are two options. | There are two options. | “There” introduces an idea. |
Quick Practice
Pick the right word for each sentence:
- ___ going to announce ___ results over ___. (they’re / their / there)
- The cat knocked over ___ food bowl.
- ___ is a bakery near the station, and ___ open until 9 p.m.
Answers: 1. They’re, their, there. 2. their. 3. There, they’re.
The Bottom Line
Once you understand the job each word does, the confusion fades. Remember the three-step check, picture the heir, the signpost and the bandage, and proofread by reading each sentence aloud with “they are,” “here” and “our.” With a little practice, choosing between their, there and they’re will become second nature.