How to Use They're, There, and Their Correctly

Have you ever confused the difference between “they're,” “there,” and “their”? These three words may sound the same in pronunciation (homophones) but have different meanings and usages. 

It is common to slip up when using these words, either in everyday conversation or formal writing. 

In this article, we will discuss the differences between “they're,” “there,” and “their,” how to use them correctly, and a simple exercise to test your understanding. 

Let's take a look at the explanation!

How to Use “They’re” in a Sentence?

"They're" is the contraction of "they are." Since both mean the same thing, you can use "they're" instead of "they are" in a sentence.

You can use it to describe an action or situation involving a group of people.

However, keep in mind that contractions are rarely used in academic or formal writing—they’re mostly found in casual conversations and informal communication.

Look at the following examples:

• “They’re going to the park this afternoon.”
• “I think they’re delighted today.” 
• “They’re not coming to the party tonight.”

How to Use “There” in a Sentence?

"There" is used to indicate a place or the existence of something. It can also serve as an introduction in a sentence.

Use "there" when referring to a location (as the opposite of "here") or when expressing that something exists.

You’ll also see "there" in common phrases like "There is" and "There are." 

Here are the examples:

• “There is a book on the table.”
• “Let’s go over there and sit down.” 
• “There are many reasons to learn English.” 

How to Use “Their” in a Sentence?

"Their" is the possessive adjective of the pronoun "they," used to show ownership or something that belongs to a group of people.

Since "their" is plural, it shouldn’t be used to refer to a specific person (singular). It’s only used when followed by a noun.

For example:

• “Their house is very big.”
• “I love their idea for the project.”
• “The students forgot their homework at home.”

Exercises to Master the Correct Use of They’re, There, and Their

Now that you know what these three words mean and how to use them, let’s try some exercises to help you understand them even better!

1. I know ………………. is a solution to this problem.
2. ………………. going on holiday for ten days
3. Look! ………………. is a rainbow in the sky.
4. The hikers forgot ………………. water bottles.
5. Are ………………. any coffee shops around here?
6. Sloths are cute but ………………. very lazy.
7. The children love ………………. new toys.
8. I saw a cute dog standing over ……………….
9. I don’t know if ………………. ready for the test.
10. ………………. going over ………………. to finish ………………. project.

Try to match your answers here. Did you do everything right?

1. There
2. They’re
3. There
4. Their
5. There
6. They’re
7. Their
8. There
9. They’re
10. They’re, there, their

Conclusion

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!