Do you have a minute to spare to learn some English? Georgina’s going to clear up the confusion about their, there and they’re! Give us 60 seconds and we’ll give you the English!
Georgina
Hi, I’m Georgina from BBC Learning English. Do you ever wonder about the difference between their, there and they’re?
They are all pronounced the same but have different spellings and are used differently.
Their is used to show plural possession:
It is Phil and Elly’s laptop. It is their laptop. It is Georgina and Roy’s dog. It is their dog.
There is used to identify something for the first time and is often followed by the verb ‘to be’. There is a cafe near our office, but it’s so expensive. There is a bookshop nearby and it has some nice books.
They’re has the same meaning as ‘they are’ and is often followed by an adjective. Where are Sam and Dan? They’re late – they’re never on time!
Bye for now!
Their vs There vs They’re
Pronunciation
Their, there and they’re all have the same pronunciation: /ðeə/
Their
Their is a pronoun which shows plural possession.
- It is Phil and Elly’s laptop. It is their laptop.
- It is Georgina and Roy’s dog. It is their dog.
There
There is used to identify something for the first time and is often followed by the verb ‘to be’.
- There is a cafe near our office, but it’s so expensive.
- There is a bookshop nearby and it has some nice books.
They’re
They’re has the same meaning as ‘they are’ and is often followed by an adjective.
- Where are Sam and Dan? They’re late – they’re never on time!
- They’re almost here. We will see them soon.