“There” vs. “Their” vs. “They’re”: What’s the Difference?

English has many confusing word groups — and there, their, and they’re are some of the most common.
They sound the same but have very different jobs in a sentence.
Let’s break them down one by one so you’ll never mix them up again.

There: Refers to a Place or a Situation

Meaning

“There” can mean a place, position, or even just introduce a sentence.
If you’re pointing to something or describing location — it’s “there.”

Examples of “There” (10 total)

1. The book is over there on the table.
2. We went there last weekend.
3. There’s a new restaurant near my house.
4. I’ve never been there before.
5. Please sit there, not here.
6. There are many reasons to travel.
7. Look over there — do you see it?
8. He lives there with his grandparents.
9. Is anyone there?
10. We stayed there for two nights.

🧠 Tip:
If you can replace it with “here” or “that place,” it’s probably there.

Their: Shows Possession

Meaning

“Their” is a possessive adjective.
It shows that something belongs to a group of people (they).

Examples of “Their” (10 total)

1. This is their car, not mine.
2. The kids forgot their homework.
3. They love their new puppy.
4. Their parents are both teachers.
5. I met their friends at the concert.
6. The students packed their bags.
7. Everyone should clean up their desk.
8. The team celebrated their victory.
9. The family sold their old house.
10. I borrowed their umbrella yesterday.

🧠 Tip:
If the sentence talks about ownership, use their.

They’re: The Contraction

Meaning

“They’re” is short for “they are.”
The apostrophe replaces the missing letter “a.”

Examples of “They’re” (10 total)

1. They’re going to the park later.
2. I think they’re ready for the test.
3. They’re not interested in joining.
4. They’re my best friends.
5. They’re always on time.
6. They’re coming over for dinner.
7. They’re watching a movie tonight.
8. I know they’re doing their best.
9. They’re happy with the results.
10. They’re planning a surprise party.

🧠 Tip:
If you can replace it with “they are,” it must be they’re.

Quick Comparison Table

Common Mistakes

How to Remember the Difference

• There → “Here” (both talk about a place).
• Their → “Heir” (someone who owns something).
• They’re → “They are.” (If you can replace it with “they are,” it fits.)

👉 Example:

They’re bringing their bikes over there.

Why It Matters in Writing

Using the wrong one might make your writing sound careless — or even confusing.
AI writing tools often mix them up because they sound identical in speech.
That’s why tools like Humanizey refine AI-written text to ensure it reads naturally and correctly, just like a real human wrote it.

FAQ

1. Are “there,” “their,” and “they’re” pronounced the same?
Yes! They’re homophones — same sound, different meanings.

2. Is “there’s” short for “there is”?
Exactly. “There’s” = “There is” or “There has.”

3. Can “their” refer to one person?
Yes — in modern English, “their” is often used for gender-neutral singular reference.

4. Why do writers confuse these words?
Because sound doesn’t show spelling. Only context tells which is correct.

Practice: Choose the Correct Word (“There,” “Their,” or “They’re”)

(Answers are listed at the end.)

1. I think ___ going to love this restaurant.
2. The kids forgot ___ lunchboxes again.
3. Let’s meet over ___ by the fountain.
4. ___ always so cheerful in the morning.
5. Is anyone still living ___ now?
6. The team showed ___ best effort.
7. ___ going to need more time to finish.
8. Please put your shoes over ___ by the door.
9. ___ cat is sleeping on the couch.
10. I told them ___ welcome to join us anytime.

Answers

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