Their vs There: Never Confuse These Words Again!
Those tiny words “their” and “there” can be tricky, right? It’s easy to get them mixed up, and even a small mistake can make a big difference. But fear not, grammar warrior. We’re here to help you master these confusing words once and for all.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know:
- First of all, clear definitions and helpful examples of “their” and “there.”
- Furthermore, easy-to-remember tricks so you never forget the difference
- Also, common errors (and how to steer clear of them)
- In the end, a fun quiz to test your newfound knowledge
Let’s get started.
Their vs There: What’s the Difference?
Let’s start with the basics. “Their” and “there” might sound similar, but they have completely different meanings.
- Their: This word shows possession. Think of it like “his” or “her,” but for a group of people. It’s their car, their house, their responsibility.
- “The students brought their laptops to class.”
- “The team celebrated their victory.”
- There: This word usually points to a place or location. It can also be used in sentences where the verb comes before the subject (like “There is a cat on the roof”).
- “Look over there!“
- “There are many reasons to learn grammar.”
- “There is no place like home.”
See? Not so confusing after all. But keep reading because we have more tips and tricks to share.
Tricks to Remember Their vs There
So we know the definitions. But how can you remember which word is which when you’re writing in a hurry? Here are a few tricks:
- “Their” has the word “heir” in it. An heir inherits things. “Their” shows possession. Get it?
- Think of “there” as having “here” inside it. Both words relate to location. “The book is over there” is similar to “The book is over here.”
- Use Arvin! Our AI-powered browser extension has a handy grammar checker that can spot errors like these in a flash. Just install it, and it’ll help you write with confidence. No more second-guessing yourself.
To sum up, with these tricks up your sleeve, you’ll be a their vs there master in no time.
Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to slip up sometimes. Here are some common mistakes people make with “their” and “there”:
- Firstly, using “there” for possession. Remember, “there” is for places, not possessions.
- Incorrect: “The dog wagged there tail.”
- Correct: “The dog wagged their tail.” (Or “its tail” if you know the dog’s gender.)
- Secondly, using “their” for location. “Their” shows ownership, not location.
- Incorrect: “The store is right their.”
- Correct: “The store is right there.“
- Lastly, mixing up “they’re” and “their.” “They’re” is a contraction of “they are.” It has nothing to do with possession.
- Incorrect: “Their going to the park.”
- Correct: “They’re going to the park.”
Want to avoid these mistakes altogether? Certainly, Arvin can help. It catches grammar errors and, subsequently, suggests corrections as you type, so you can be sure your writing is always on point.
Quiz Time: Test Your Knowledge
Think you’ve got it all figured out? Let’s see. Choose the correct word (“their” or “there”) for each sentence:
- The musicians packed up ____ instruments after the concert.
- ____ are many books on the shelf.
- Is ____ a reason why you’re late?
- The children went to ____ rooms to sleep.
- Place the flowers over ____.
Answers:
- their
- There
- there
- their
- there
So, how did you do? If you aced it, congrats! You’re officially a “their” vs. “there” expert. However, if you missed a few, no worries. Simply review the guide, and you’ll be good to go.
Pro Tip: Use Arvin to double-check your writing and avoid these common errors in the future.
Never Confuse “Their” and “There” Again
You’re now well on your way to mastering the difference between “their” and “there.” Therefore, with a little practice and the right tools, you can write with confidence and avoid those pesky grammar gremlins.
Here are the key takeaways:
- Firstly, “their” shows possession, while “there” indicates location.
- Secondly, memory tricks can be used to remember the difference.
- Lastly, watch out for common errors like using “there” for possession.
Arvin can be a game-changer if you struggle with grammar. Specifically, its AI-powered grammar checker catches mistakes in real-time. Moreover, it can even help you improve your writing style. Give it a try and see the difference.
FAQs about “Their” and “There”
“Their” is the correct spelling. “Thier” is simply a misspelling. However, it’s a very common one! Don’t worry if you’ve made this mistake in the past. Just remember the correct spelling, and use Arvin to catch any typos in the future.
Actually, “it there” isn’t grammatically correct. You might be thinking of “it is there,” which can be contracted to “it’s there.” This phrase simply means that something is located in that place. For example, “It’s there on the table.”
This is a tricky one! “Its” shows possession for a single thing or animal, while “their” shows possession for a group.
For example, “The dog wagged its tail” is correct.
But, “The dogs wagged their tails” is also correct.
Use “their” to show that something belongs to a group of people or things. For instance, “The students finished their homework.”
It’s “their son.” “Their” shows that the son belongs to them (the parents). “There” would refer to a location, which doesn’t make sense in this context.
In conclusion, learning the difference between “their” and “there” can be a challenge, but it’s certainly achievable. Above all, remember that “their” indicates possession, and “there” refers to a location. Moreover, don’t hesitate to use tools like Arvin to help you along the way.