iGrammar writing tool

    There, Their, or They're? Meaning and Examples

    There points to a place or introduces an idea, their shows possession, and they're means they are. Use the examples below, then check your own sentence. Learn the difference in context, compare the examples, and then check your own sentence in the editor. The focused result helps you review the likely word-choice issue without replacing your judgment about the meaning.

    No account is required for the web editor. Review every suggestion before using it.

    How to use the there vs their vs they're

    1. 1

      Paste your there vs their vs they're or draft.

    2. 2

      Run the focused iGrammar check.

    3. 3

      Review, apply, or copy the result.

    See a there vs their vs they're example

    The example below shows the kind of improvement to review—not a promise that every text will receive the same changes.

    Before

    Their going to leave there bags over they're before lunch.

    After

    They're going to leave their bags over there before lunch.

    They're

    They're means they are going to leave.

    Their

    Their shows that the bags belong to them.

    There

    There identifies the place where the bags will be left.

    What this checker looks for

    Homophones
    Possession
    Contractions
    Place words
    Contextual word choice

    Who uses it?

    Checking a common word-choice mistake
    Practicing homophones before using them in writing
    Checking a sentence that uses two commonly confused words
    Reviewing an email or essay before sending or submitting it
    Using the examples as a quick reference while editing

    Tips for better writing

    • Use they're only when you can expand it to they are.
    • Use their before a noun to show possession.
    • Use there for a place or the phrase there is/there are.
    • Identify the grammatical role or meaning the sentence needs before choosing a word.
    • Replace the confusing word with a plain-language phrase to test the meaning.
    • Read the complete sentence rather than judging the word in isolation.
    • Keep a personal example of the distinction you often forget.

    Frequently asked questions

    How can I remember the three forms?

    They're contains an apostrophe because it is they are; their shows ownership; there often points to a place.

    Do the three words sound the same?

    In most varieties of English they are homophones, which is why context matters.

    Can the checker distinguish them?

    It can flag contextual word-choice issues in the sentence you provide, but review the suggestion yourself.

    Why are these words easy to confuse?

    They look or sound similar, but their meanings or grammatical roles differ. Reading the surrounding sentence usually reveals which form fits.

    Can the checker explain the difference?

    The page provides examples and explanations, and the editor can highlight the likely issue in the sentence you submit.

    Can I use this for a longer paragraph?

    Yes. You can paste a paragraph, but focus on the sentence containing the confusing word when reviewing the explanation.

    Will the checker always choose the right word?

    It can make a useful suggestion, but context matters. Review the explanation and confirm the final choice before applying it.

    Quick guide: There, Their, or They're? Meaning and Examples

    FormUse it whenExample
    therePoints to a place or idea.Put the file there.
    theirShows possession by them.Their report is complete.
    they'reShort for they are.They're reviewing it.

    Mini quiz

    Which form fits: “___ ready to review the final draft.

    How iGrammar helps

    iGrammar keeps the input, focused context, suggestions, explanations, and corrected output in one workspace. You decide which changes to apply and can continue with rewriting, summarizing, tone improvement, or another focused check.

    Focused context
    Reviewable suggestions
    One writing workspace

    Related iGrammar tools

    Continue with the next step in your writing workflow.

    Browse all checks

    Ready for the next draft?

    Check your writing with iGrammar

    Run another focused check in the browser, or choose a supported app or extension for writing beyond this page.

    Check my writing