If you’ve ever hesitated between they’re, their, and there, you’re not alone. These three words sound exactly the same but mean completely different things. The good news is that learning when to use they’re is simple once you know the rule.
In this quick guide, you’ll learn what they’re really means, how it differs from their and there, and how to use it correctly in any sentence. You’ll also see real examples, common mistakes, and a short quiz to help make this rule stick for good.
What “They’re” Means and How It Differs from “Their” and “There”
They’re is a contraction of they are. You should use it only when they are fits naturally in your sentence.
Contractions is a combination of two words into one shorter form, often used to make writing sound natural and conversational. In this case, they’re merges they and are, and the apostrophe replaces the missing “a.”
Words like their act as modifiers, much like those you’ll see in examples of adjectives, which describe or give more information about nouns.
Examples:
✅ They’re going to the park later. (They are going)
✅ They’re happy to help with the project. (They are happy)
✅ I think they’re already on their way. (They are already on their way)
If you’re unsure whether they’re is correct, try replacing it with they are. If the sentence still makes sense, most of the time you’ve chosen the right word.
Comparison Table:
Word | Function | Example | How to Remember |
They’re | Contraction of they are | They’re excited to join us. | Replace with “they are” |
Their | Shows possession | Their car is parked outside. | Has “heir” for ownership |
There | Refers to a place or existence | They’re sitting over there. | Has “here” for location |
When writing, consider what the sentence needs. If you’re describing an action or state, they’re is correct. If you’re showing ownership, choose their. If you’re pointing to a place, use there.
This rule applies whether “they” refers to a group or one person. For example, when using singular they to refer to someone who doesn’t identify with gendered pronouns, you can still write They’re bringing their laptop.
In formal writing, contractions like they’re are sometimes replaced with their full form (they are) to sound more professional. In everyday communication, however, they’re is perfectly natural and acceptable.
Common Mistakes and Why They’re Wrong
Confusing they’re, their, and there is common — just like mixing up the difference between your and you’re, another pair of homophones that often trip up English learners.
Understanding what each word does in a sentence makes it easier to spot errors and fix them quickly.
❌ Maybe he saved up for them and their his first pair.
✅ Maybe he saved up for them and they’re his first pair.
In the above incorrect version, their functions as a possessive adjective, which means it shows ownership or belonging, but the sentence actually needs a verb. They’re means they are, which completes the thought correctly: they are his first pair.
Why This Happens:
People often choose their when something in the sentence sounds like ownership. However, their describes who owns something, while they’re shows what someone is or does. The difference is grammatical:
- They’re acts as a verb phrase (they + are).
- Their functions as a possessive adjective.
When you already have a possessive word like his, you never need another one. That’s why the phrase their his first pair doesn’t work — his already handles possession.
More Common Errors and Fixes:
❌ Their going to be late. → ✅ They’re going to be late.
❌ I hope they’re car starts. → ✅ I hope their car starts.
❌ There working on the project. → ✅ They’re working on the project.
Each of these sentences fails the simple test: can you replace the word with they are?
Only they’re passes that test.
Helpful Clarification:
You might wonder, Is “they’re” ever possessive? The answer is no. They’re will always stand for they are. If you’re describing something that belongs to people or things, use their instead.
Memory Trick:
Think of they’re as the team of two words working together — “they” and “are.” The apostrophe is your clue that something’s been joined or shortened.
Mini Quiz: Choose the Correct Word
A quick practice round helps you apply what you’ve learned. Choose they’re, their, or there to complete each sentence correctly.
Instructions:
Read each sentence carefully and decide which word fits best. Then check the answers below to see how you did.
- ___ going to love this movie.
- I saw ___ new puppy yesterday.
- Let’s meet over ___.
- ___ helping their friend move.
- ___ ideas are always creative.
- ___ planning to visit Paris next summer.
- I like spending time at ___ house by the lake.
- ___ not sure if ___ coming to dinner tonight.
- Did you see ___ announcement in the paper?
- ___ always kind to everyone they meet.
Answers and Explanations
- They’re – Short for they are going to love this movie.
- Their – Shows possession of the puppy.
- There – Refers to a location or place.
- They’re – Means they are helping their friend move.
- Their – Shows ownership of the ideas.
- They’re – Short for they are planning to visit Paris next summer.
- Their – Shows possession of the house.
- They’re / their – They’re not sure if they’re coming to dinner tonight. The first they’re means they are, the second also means they are.
- Their – Indicates possession of the announcement.
- They’re – Short for they are always kind to everyone they meet.
Quick Check Tip:
- If you can replace the word with they are and it still makes sense, use they’re.
- If the sentence talks about ownership, use their.
- If it points to a place, use there.
Context Note:
You can use they’re in both formal and casual writing, but in professional or academic settings, it’s sometimes clearer to write they are.
Conclusion
They’re always means they are. If you can replace it with they are and your sentence still works, you’ve got it right.
Quick Recap:
- They’re = contraction of they are
- Their = shows possession or ownership
- There = points to a place or indicates existence
- Simple test: replace the word with they are. If it fits, use they’re.
Well, it's easy to understand, isn't it? Hopefully, the explanation above can help you distinguish between “there,” “they're,” and “their.”
Keep practicing using them so that the same mistakes don't happen again next time.
Want to explore more topics? Check out EZClass and the EZClass blog for more interesting articles. And don’t forget to share this article with your friends who are learning English!
