There, their, and they’re sound the same. How do you know which is the right one to
use in your sentence? You have to think about the meaning of each of these words.
THERE (t-h-e-r-e) is a place. Right there {pointing}. See it? Think of here and there
- those are both places. If you can use the word “here,” you can use the word “there.”
(just add on a t). This is the correct THERE to use even if the place you’re talking
about is vague, like…”They have some tall trees out there in the West” or when you
say “How’s the weather up there?” to someone tall. Actually, you should not say
that to someone who is tall - they know they’re tall, you don’t have to point it out.
THERE (t-h-e-r-e) is also used with the verb TO BE (is, are, was, were).
{singing} There is a light and it never goes out...
There are two types of people in this world… {singsong} There was an old woman who lived
in a shoe. {spooked} And then, there were none.
THEIR (t-h-e-i-r) is a possessive. It means something belongs to THEM.
Bonnie and Clyde washed their car. Their dog ran away. Here’s a hint: if you look closely,
the word “heir” is inside “their.” An heirloom belongs to a family. All the family’s
possessions will eventually belong to an heir. That should help you recognize that this word,
their, is a possessive. If you’re still not sure “their” is
the right word, try substituting in another possessive, like “my” or “your.” Their
house is beautiful. My house is beautiful. Your house is beautiful. These are all correct,
so you should use the possessive their, t-h-e-i-r.
THEY’RE (t-h-e-y-apostrophe-r-e) is a CONTRACTION of “They are.”
They’re coming to stay for three weeks. They are!?
They’re my favourite band. Here’s the rule for this one: See if you
can substitute “they are” instead of they’re. They are my favourite band. See, that works.
How about this one: There is going to be rain tomorrow.” They are is going to be rain
tomorrow. You’d never say that! That would be the wrong kind of “there” there. Which
“there” belongs with the verb
TO BE? T-h-e-r-e.