There vs. Their vs. They're
Quick Answer
there = place or existence (Put it over there. There is a way.)
their = possessive pronoun (their house, their ideas)
they're = contraction of "they are" (They're coming.)
Explanation
THERE
1. Place (≠ here)
2. Existence (there is/are)
"Put it over there."
"There is a problem."
Tip: "here" is inside "there"
THEIR
Possessive — belonging to them
"Their house is big."
"I like their music."
Like: my, your, his, her, our
THEY'RE
Contraction: they are
"They're coming soon."
"They're my friends."
Test: replace with "they are"
Memory trick: The word here is hidden inside there — both deal with place. Their contains heir — someone who inherits (owns) things. They're has an apostrophe → contraction of "they are".
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: Have you seen there new car?
Correct: Have you seen their new car? (possessive — belonging to them)
Incorrect: They're house is beautiful.
Correct: Their house is beautiful. ("they are house" ✘ → use their)
Practice
Fill in the blank:
"_____ late again — _____ boss is standing right _____ ."
Show answer
Answer: They're late again — their boss is standing right there.
Related Grammar
Replace the contraction to check it
They're expands to they are. Their shows possession. There points to a place or introduces existence: there are two bags over there. Substituting they are helps check the contraction but does not decide between their and there.
Practise the distinction
___ waiting outside.
Show answer and explanation
They're
They are waiting outside.
Those are ___ coats.
Show answer and explanation
their
The coats belong to them.
Put the coats over ___.
Show answer and explanation
there
There names the location.