there, their, they’re

The words there, their, and they’re are homonyms: they sound alike but have different meanings.

On this page

• When to use “there”
• When to use “their”
• When to use “they’re”
• Additional information

When to use “there”

The word there can be used in a number of ways.

Use there:

• as an introductory subject
  • There is no easy solution.
• as an interjection
  • There, now I’m done.
• as an adverb meaning “in that location”
  • We’ll be there tomorrow.
• as a noun meaning “that place”
  • From there, we flew to Paris.

Tip: To choose the right spelling to mean “location,” remember that the word here is contained in the word there.

When to use “their”

Their is a possessive adjective meaning “belonging to them”:

• Their furniture is built to last.

Tip: If you can substitute our, the word their is correct:

• Their [or Our] demands are clear.

When to use “they’re”

They’re is a contraction of they are:

• They’re having a winning streak.

Tip: If you can substitute they are, use they’re:

• They’re [or They are] going hiking in Whistler, and they’re [or they are] taking their dog with them.

Additional information

• Homonyms: Their, there, they’re (quiz)