Their’s or There’s? (Understanding the Difference!)

Author:

Waqas Ashraf

Affiliate Disclaimer

As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. We get commissions for purchases made through links on this website from Amazon and other third parties.

Their’s or There’s? Are you confused about when to use “their’s” and “there’s”? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with these two similar-sounding words and often wonder if they mean the same thing.

In this article, we will unravel the mystery behind their usage and help you understand the key differences between “their’s” and “there’s.” So, let’s dive in!

In the following sections, we will explore each term individually, discuss their correct usages, provide examples for better understanding, and offer some helpful tips on how to avoid common mistakes related to these words.

By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with all the knowledge needed to confidently choose between “their’s” and “there’s.” Stay tuned as we delve into this fascinating journey through possessive pronouns!

Table of Contents

Their’s or There’s?

When it comes to possessive pronouns, it’s important to know which one to use in different contexts. The confusion arises because both “their’s” and “there’s” involve possession but have distinct roles.

The short answer is that “their’s” is grammatically incorrect, whereas “there’s” is a contraction of “there is.” While “their” shows ownership by multiple people (“It was their house”), adding an apostrophe-S after it (“their’s”) doesn’t follow proper English grammar rules.

Their’s and There’s: What’s the Difference?

Both “there” and “their” are frequently used words in the English language, but they have distinct meanings and functions. Here’s a breakdown of their differences with examples:

There:

Function: Adverb or pronoun

Meaning:

Adverb: Indicates place or location: “Put it over there.” “I’m not there yet.”
Pronoun: Stands in for a previously mentioned place or concept: “Have you been to the park? I hear it’s nice there.”

Their:

Function: Possessive adjective
Meaning: Shows ownership or belonging related to plural pronouns (they, them, theirs) or the non-gender-specific singular “they”: “They lost their keys.” “The children played with their toys.”

Examples:

Correct: “I left my phone there on the table. Can you bring it to me?” (“There” indicates location, “me” is a pronoun referring to the speaker.)
Incorrect: “I left my phone their on the table.” (“Their” is possessive and doesn’t indicate location.)

There and Their Meaning:

The words “there,” “their,” and “they’re” are all homophones, meaning they sound the same but have different spellings and meanings. Here’s a breakdown to help you understand them better:

There:

Function: Adverb/Pronoun

Meaning: As an adverb, it indicates place or location: “Put it over there.” “I’m not there yet.” As a pronoun, it stands in for a noun or noun phrase and refers to a previously mentioned place or concept: “Have you been to the park? I hear it’s nice there.”

Their:

Function: Possessive adjective

Meaning: Shows ownership or belonging related to plural pronouns (they, them, theirs): “They lost their keys.” “The children played with their toys.”

When to Use Their:

You use “their” when you want to indicate possession related to the plural pronoun “they,” the non-gender-specific singular pronoun “they,” or singular indefinite pronouns like “someone,” “anyone,” or “everybody.”

Here are some examples of when to use “their”:

They left their phones at home.
The team celebrated their victory.
The children built their sandcastle by the sea.

Their in A Sentence:

Here are some examples of how to use “their” in a sentence, depending on the context:

With Plural Pronouns:

The children played with their toys in the backyard.

The team celebrated their victory with cake and champagne.
They lost their keys and couldn’t get into their house.

With the Non-Gender-Specific Singular “they”:

The student finished their exam and handed it in early.
They are excited to start their new job next week.

With Singular Indefinite Pronouns:

Someone left their phone on the bus.
Everybody loves spending time with their family.

Common Mistakes When Using Their’s and There’s:

When it comes to using “their’s” and “there’s,” many people often make common mistakes that can easily be avoided. Here are some of the most frequently encountered errors:

Incorrect use of possessive pronoun: One common mistake is adding an apostrophe before the ‘s’ in “their.” However, the word “theirs” is already a possessive pronoun, so there is no need for an apostrophe.
Confusing “their’s” with contraction: Another mistake is mistakenly using “their’s” as a contraction for “they’re” or “they are.” Remember, contractions should be written as separate words, such as “they’re.”
Lack of subject-verb agreement: Sometimes, writers may incorrectly pair verbs with pronouns like “their” or “theirs.” Remember that these pronouns require plural verb forms.

Ignoring context clues: Failing to consider context can also lead to improper usage of these terms. Always ensure that your choice reflects the intended meaning within the sentence.

To prevent these common mistakes, it’s crucial to pay attention to grammar rules and practice proper usage consistently throughout your writing.

Mistake	Correction
Incorrect: They took their’s.	Correct: They took theirs.
Incorrect: Their’s going to be a party.	Correct: There’s going to be a party.
Incorrect: Their’s three cats in the garden.	Correct: There are three cats in the garden.

By avoiding these errors, you can enhance your writing clarity and ensure that your use of “their’s” and “there’s” is accurate and effective.

Tips for Properly Using Their’s and There’s:

When it comes to using “their’s” and “there’s,” it is important to understand the difference between these two terms. To ensure you are using them correctly, here are some helpful tips:

Use “their’s” as a possessive pronoun: Remember that “their’s” is not a valid word in English. Instead, use the correct form of possession by writing “theirs.” For example:

Incorrect: The book is their’s.

Correct: The book is theirs.

Use “there’s” as a contraction of “there is”: When expressing the existence or presence of something, use the contraction “there’s.” Here are some examples:

Incorrect: There’s many options available.

Correct: There are many options available.

Final Thoughts! Their’s or There’s?

Understanding the difference between “theirs” and “there’s” is crucial for effective communication. While both words indicate possession, they are used in different contexts and convey distinct meanings.

“Theirs” is a possessive pronoun that refers to something belonging to multiple people or groups. It does not require an apostrophe because it already includes the possessive form within the word itself. For example, if you say “The car is theirs,” you are stating that the car belongs to them.

On the other hand, “there’s” is a contraction of “there is.” It combines the adverb “there” with the verb “is.”

This usage indicates existence or presence of something at a particular place or time. For instance, when saying “There’s a book on the table,” you are expressing that a book can be found on the table.