They’re, their or there?

These three words are often used incorrectly too.


They’re is the short form of they are:

• My parents have gone on holiday and they’re in France today.
• When students like a teacher, they’re more likely to do well in the subject he or she teaches.

Their is a possessive word, just like its or my:

• My children always leave their toys all over the place.
• The dogs ran towards their master.

There is an adverb of place: it means in that place.
Think of it as an answer to the question “where?”.

• We didn’t want to go there, but we had to.
• Why did you put my book there?

Here’s a sentence with all three words;

• They’re there, and all their friends are with them.