There, their, they're and more...

ChuckgM3
ChuckgM3 Posts: 302 Member
edited September 25 in Chit-Chat
To whom it may concern... please learn it, live it, love it... that is all :)


English Their, There, They're

What's the difference between their, there, and they're? They're really not that complicated; once you understand their differences there shouldn't be any more confusion.


Their

Their is the third person plural possessive adjective, used to describe something as belong to them. Their is nearly always followed by a noun.

Where is their car?

Are these their pens?

Their books are on the table.

This is their room and this is ours.

What happened to their dog?

Their being here is causing some problems.


There

There has several different uses.

1. Adverb that means the opposite of "here"

He's over there.

Stop right there.

Do you want to sit here or there?

2. Pronoun that introduces a noun or clause.

There is something strange going on.

Is there a phone?

3. Adjective that emphasizes which person.

That guy there seems to be in trouble.

Those there look good.

4. Noun that means "that place."

From there, we drove to Boston.

I'm not going in there!


They're

They're is the contraction of "they are" and is often followed by the present participle (verb form ending in -ing).

They're going to be late.

Is that what they're saying?

I think they're lying.

If they're ready, we can go.

I can't believe they're not here yet!

When they're older, they'll understand.


The Bottom Line

The confusion between their, there, and they're occurs because the three words are pronounced in very similar ways.

If the word means "belonging to them," use their. If you're able to replace the word with "they are," use they're. Otherwise, there is only one correct answer: there.


BONUS!


English Your vs You're

What's the difference between your and you're? Your presence on this page means you're about to find out.


Your

Your is the second person possessive adjective, used to describe something as belonging to you. Your is nearly always followed by a noun.

What is your name?

Is this your pen?

Your book is on the table.

This is your chair and this is mine.

What happened to your dog?

Your being here is causing some problems.


You're

You're is the contraction of "you are" and is often followed by the present participle (verb form ending in -ing).

You're going to be late.

Is that what you're wearing?

I think you're lying.

If you're ready, we can go.

I can't believe you're a doctor!

When you're my age, you'll understand.


The Bottom Line

The confusion between your and you're occurs because the two words are pronounced pretty much the same.

The ironclad rule - no exceptions - is that if you're able to replace the word with "you are," you're saying you're. Otherwise, your only choice is your.
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Replies

  • Kminor67
    Kminor67 Posts: 900 Member
    THANK YOU! I have a lot that I could add, but I'm gonna keep my mouth shut. MY PET PEEVE!!!!:grumble:
  • ashleynicoleb
    ashleynicoleb Posts: 376 Member
    Preach it! lol
  • velix
    velix Posts: 437 Member
    Thank you ... thank you ... and thank you again!

    It kills me to read some of these common mistakes - and sadly, not just on message boards, but supposedly professional (edited) works as well
  • CharityD
    CharityD Posts: 193
    Love it! That drives me crazy! :noway:
  • My bigger pet peeve is the trend of using " 's " instead of just "s" to make something plural.
  • im2spooky4u
    im2spooky4u Posts: 71 Member
    Nice post. :-)
  • dalzinho
    dalzinho Posts: 52
    It's great laughing at people who aren't as clever as you, isn't it?
  • koosdel
    koosdel Posts: 3,317 Member
    That they're were a darn good posting of them words and how they is used in them sentences and stuff. There aughta' be more folks when there talking use them words in such a way that there isn't misunderstanded.

    Not good grammar really passes me off it do.
  • qtpiesmom
    qtpiesmom Posts: 394 Member
    ITS not ALOT its A LOT is my big one
  • SMJohnson27
    SMJohnson27 Posts: 146 Member
    There are probably a million reasons people are not the greatest at spelling. Maybe they dropped out of school because their parents were drunks and didn't support them. Maybe they had a learning disability and found english difficult. Do you really think your post is going to change that if 12 years of english classes didn't help. And now on their journey to better their health, they have to worry about someone picking on their spelling? Maybe now, they will think twice before posting a question because of your pet peeve. If you can read what they wrote and understand it, don't worry it. I find it hard to believe you can not understand what they are saying because they use their instead of there. Be supportive.
  • jen1516
    jen1516 Posts: 77 Member
    Here's a funny one (actually has a facebook page):

    Let's eat grandma.
    Let's eat, grandma.

    Punctuation saves lives.
  • dalzinho
    dalzinho Posts: 52
    There are probably a million reasons people are not the greatest at spelling. Maybe they dropped out of school because their parents were drunks and didn't support them. Maybe they had a learning disability and found english difficult. Do you really think your post is going to change that if 12 years of english classes didn't help. And now on their journey to better their health, they have to worry about someone picking on their spelling? Maybe now, they will think twice before posting a question because of your pet peeve. If you can read what they wrote and understand it, don't worry it. I find it hard to believe you can not understand what they are saying because they use their instead of there. Be supportive.

    ^absolutely right. Grammar trolls and pseudo-elitists spoil the internet.
  • Dlibo1013
    Dlibo1013 Posts: 883 Member
    I could care less, does it really matter? I am sorry but only God could make me perfect and he did not.
  • koosdel
    koosdel Posts: 3,317 Member
    There are probably a million reasons people are not the greatest at spelling. Maybe they dropped out of school because their parents were drunks and didn't support them. Maybe they had a learning disability and found english difficult. Do you really think your post is going to change that if 12 years of english classes didn't help. And now on their journey to better their health, they have to worry abuout someone picking on their spelling? Maybe now, they will think twice before posting a question because of your pet peeve. If you can read what they wrote and understand it, don't worry it. I find it hard to believe you can not understand what they are saying because they use their instead of there. Be supportive.

    ^absolutely right. Grammar trolls and pseudo-elitists spoil the internet.

    Plus, little bitty tiny insignificant things like miss-spelling doesn't bother me. Things like triple taxation, tornados, expensive car repairs, and elitists bother me.

    But most importantly, I DON'T CARE!
  • suzycreamcheese
    suzycreamcheese Posts: 1,766 Member
    the their there and theyre thing drives me crazy.
  • irishgal44
    irishgal44 Posts: 1,141 Member
    There are probably a million reasons people are not the greatest at spelling. Maybe they dropped out of school because their parents were drunks and didn't support them. Maybe they had a learning disability and found english difficult. Do you really think your post is going to change that if 12 years of english classes didn't help. And now on their journey to better their health, they have to worry about someone picking on their spelling? Maybe now, they will think twice before posting a question because of your pet peeve. If you can read what they wrote and understand it, don't worry it. I find it hard to believe you can not understand what they are saying because they use their instead of there. Be supportive.

    ^absolutely right. Grammar trolls and pseudo-elitists spoil the internet.

    FYI..."English" needed to be capitalized...just so you know. LOL All in joking!! It is a pet peeve of mine too but more with fb friends than on hear. Kidding..."here".
  • 3ur3ka
    3ur3ka Posts: 230 Member
    To whom it may concern... please learn it, live it, love it... that is all :)


    English Their, There, They're

    What's the difference between their, there, and they're? They're really not that complicated; once you understand their differences there shouldn't be any more confusion.


    Their

    Their is the third person plural possessive adjective, used to describe something as belong to them. Their is nearly always followed by a noun.

    Where is their car?

    Are these their pens?

    Their books are on the table.

    This is their room and this is ours.

    What happened to their dog?

    Their being here is causing some problems.


    There

    There has several different uses.

    1. Adverb that means the opposite of "here"

    He's over there.

    Stop right there.

    Do you want to sit here or there?

    2. Pronoun that introduces a noun or clause.

    There is something strange going on.

    Is there a phone?

    3. Adjective that emphasizes which person.

    That guy there seems to be in trouble.

    Those there look good.

    4. Noun that means "that place."

    From there, we drove to Boston.

    I'm not going in there!


    They're

    They're is the contraction of "they are" and is often followed by the present participle (verb form ending in -ing).

    They're going to be late.

    Is that what they're saying?

    I think they're lying.

    If they're ready, we can go.

    I can't believe they're not here yet!

    When they're older, they'll understand.


    The Bottom Line

    The confusion between their, there, and they're occurs because the three words are pronounced in very similar ways.

    If the word means "belonging to them," use their. If you're able to replace the word with "they are," use they're. Otherwise, there is only one correct answer: there.


    BONUS!


    English Your vs You're

    What's the difference between your and you're? Your presence on this page means you're about to find out.


    Your

    Your is the second person possessive adjective, used to describe something as belonging to you. Your is nearly always followed by a noun.

    What is your name?

    Is this your pen?

    Your book is on the table.

    This is your chair and this is mine.

    What happened to your dog?

    Your being here is causing some problems.


    You're

    You're is the contraction of "you are" and is often followed by the present participle (verb form ending in -ing).

    You're going to be late.

    Is that what you're wearing?

    I think you're lying.

    If you're ready, we can go.

    I can't believe you're a doctor!

    When you're my age, you'll understand.


    The Bottom Line

    The confusion between your and you're occurs because the two words are pronounced pretty much the same.

    The ironclad rule - no exceptions - is that if you're able to replace the word with "you are," you're saying you're. Otherwise, your only choice is your.

    bwahahaha LOVE! I need to post this on Facebook.
  • JeninBelgium
    JeninBelgium Posts: 804 Member
    Not to forget to two and too as well as it's and its
    Funny thing is I know the difference between all of these and couldn't care less
    Actually I amliving in a land where the majority of persons speak 4 languages and at least 2 of them fluently
    I struggle a but more with my own language (sae) as I learn theirs (dutch, french, German) thus I have to give up caring about there their or they're
  • vanfox23
    vanfox23 Posts: 110
    Totally awesome post! Thanks, may just steal it and post to Facebook!
  • JeninBelgium
    JeninBelgium Posts: 804 Member
    re-reading what I wrote last night I should correct my ipod typos but meh- you understand my point I suppose (btw we used to have to spell the various toos, theres, its, yours during a spelling test in third grade- teacher would read definition and we would have to write the word- it's a good way to drill the theirs into your head :-) )
  • mrsyatesy
    mrsyatesy Posts: 173
    Ahhhh also my pet hate! Nicely addressed Mr Chuck!
  • magichatter06
    magichatter06 Posts: 3,593 Member
    There are probably a million reasons people are not the greatest at spelling. Maybe they dropped out of school because their parents were drunks and didn't support them. Maybe they had a learning disability and found english difficult. Do you really think your post is going to change that if 12 years of english classes didn't help. And now on their journey to better their health, they have to worry about someone picking on their spelling? Maybe now, they will think twice before posting a question because of your pet peeve. If you can read what they wrote and understand it, don't worry it. I find it hard to believe you can not understand what they are saying because they use their instead of there. Be supportive.

    I agree with you!
  • solpwr
    solpwr Posts: 1,039 Member
    And it's not "undoubtably", which isn't a word, it is "undoubtedly".
  • wewon
    wewon Posts: 838 Member
    Now right their is some good advice!!
  • SommerJo
    SommerJo Posts: 258 Member
    That's an awesome explanation -- but why post it? Who cares if someone doesn't use the correct form in a blog or a forum post?? Don't get me wrong -- I love grammar -- my fave class in college was English Grammar -- where all we did was break down sentences to their various parts. (subject, verb....ok probably lame).

    But people on here are already self conscious -- why point out their mistakes with grammar as well?

    Seriously though -- very informative post :)
  • binary_jester
    binary_jester Posts: 3,311 Member
    That's an awesome explanation -- but why post it?
    Because knowing is half the battle. GO JOE!
  • Just_Dot
    Just_Dot Posts: 2,283 Member
    I care because the erosion of correct spelling and grammar is a sad, sad commentary on our society and saying "Eh, it's just a blog...who cares?" will just lead to the attitude that it doesn't matter ANYWHERE! I have friends that work in the college setting (either as instructors or in student affairs) and they said that year by year, the spelling, grammar, and punctuation on application essays, classwork, and scholarship applications is in full-decline. Then, students whine when they're marked down for the errors.

    Sorry, I teach Language Arts to 6th graders and it's horrible to see how people just don't give a damn about writing properly.
  • binary_jester
    binary_jester Posts: 3,311 Member
    What I always believe...First impressions can be overcome, but what comes out of your mouth leaves an indelible mark.

    ...and this is coming from someone who still feels dirty typing "lol".
  • Just_Dot
    Just_Dot Posts: 2,283 Member
    What I always believe...First impressions can be overcome, but what comes out of your mouth leaves an indelible mark.

    ...and this is coming from someone who still feels dirty typing "lol".

    Serious, Jester...how did it take us so long to find each other?? :wink:
  • etpx3
    etpx3 Posts: 147 Member
    LOL love this
This discussion has been closed.