A reader writes:
“What is the difference between ‘There‘ and ‘Their‘ ?”
First, the grammatical specifics (we’ve also added “They’re“), then, the tips …
1. There
- the adverb (as opposed to here): in or at that place; at that point in action or speech; into or to that place. “Let’s go there!”
- the pronoun: that place; that point. “There is no hatred among friends.”
- the noun: that state or condition. “We’ll take you to the next stop. You’re on your own from there.”
- the adjective: a demonstrative adjective used after a noun. “I read that book there.”
- the interjection: used to express satisfaction. “There! We’re done with this list.” (almost)
- the combining form (obscure): We will not discuss today.
2. Their
- the possessive (of they) personal pronoun: used as an attributive adjective before a noun. “… their house.” “Announcing their arrival.”
- the gender-neutral replacement: that person. used after an indefinite singular antecedent instead of a definite his or her. “Everyone sings their own tune.”
3. They’re
- the contraction: short for “they are.” “They’re coming our way.”
Tips:
1. “There” includes “here,” so use this when talking about a location or point of action.
2. “Their” includes an “i,” so, be possessive, and use this as a pronoun (as you would use “mine,” “his,” or “hers“).
3. “They’re” includes most of the word “are,” so use this when multiples are doing something.
There:
the adjective: a demonstrative adjective used after a noun. “I read that book there.”
Isn’t THERE an adverb of place here?
Answering the question, WHERE?
Yes, absolutely. Please see the first bullet under 1. There (above). Thanks for your comment.
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I’m so grateful that their is now an acceptable gender-neutral pronoun. Saying “his or her” was always so tedious.
[…] the Grammar Police blog post: “There you have it … ” for more on There vs. Their (and […]
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