Their vs There: Meaning, Rules & Examples
Confused between their vs there? You’re not alone! Many English learners struggle with these commonly misused words. This blog will help you understand the difference between their and there, show you examples, explain usage rules, and provide tips to remember them easily. By the end, you’ll confidently use these words in sentences without errors.
Understanding the Difference: Their vs There
When learning English, knowing their vs there is crucial for clear and effective communication. Though these words sound identical, they serve very different purposes in a sentence. Using them correctly not only makes your writing and speaking more professional but also boosts your overall confidence in English.
What Does “Their” Mean?
Their is a possessive adjective, which means it shows that something belongs to a person or a group of people. You always use their before a noun to indicate ownership.
Examples:
Their house is beautiful.
The children took their books to school.
I like their ideas for the project.
The students finished their homework early.
Tip to Remember:
Think of their as ownership. If you can replace the word with my, your, or our, their is likely the correct choice.
Secondary Keywords in Use:
Using their vs there in sentences correctly can significantly improve your English grammar.
Understanding possession words in English helps learners speak and write more clearly.
What Does “There” Mean?
There is used in two main ways:
To indicate a location or place
To indicate the existence of something, often used with the verb “to be”
Examples:
The keys are over there. (location)
There is a meeting at 10 AM. (existence)
Is there any milk left? (question about existence)
There are many books in the library. (plural existence)
Usage Tips:
When talking about a location or position, always use there.
When indicating something exists or happens, there is also correct.
Quick Tip: Remember the Function
Their = Ownership → Think my, your, our
There = Location or existence → Think here, everywhere, somewhere
A simple mental check like this can prevent most common errors.
Common Mistakes with Their vs There
Even advanced learners often mix up their vs there. Here are some common mistakes and how to fix them:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| There car is new. | Their car is new. | Shows ownership → use their |
| Their is a cat in the garden. | There is a cat in the garden. | Indicates existence → use there |
| I like their playing outside. | I like them playing outside. | Possessive adjective not needed → their replaced with pronoun |
| There friends are arriving soon. | Their friends are arriving soon. | Ownership of friends → use their |
Pro Tip: Always read the sentence aloud. Sometimes your ear can catch the correct meaning better than your eyes.
Their vs There: Practice Sentences
To master these words, try these practice exercises:
The children put on _______ jackets before going out.
_______ is a big tree in the park.
I saw my friends with _______ new bicycles.
Can you go over _______ to check the documents?
_______ car is parked outside.
There are many stars visible tonight.
Answers: 1. their 2. There 3. their 4. there 5. Their 6. There
Regular practice like this helps learners reinforce the distinction between these two words while improving English writing and grammar skills.
Fun Ways to Remember Their vs There
Draw a mental picture: “There” is often about a place. Imagine pointing to a location. “Their” is about ownership. Imagine something belonging to someone.
Create a sentence rule: If you can ask “Whose?” → the answer should be their.
Quiz yourself daily: Try filling in their or there in 5–10 sentences daily. The repetition makes it easy to remember.
Read and highlight: While reading books or articles, highlight every instance of their vs there. Seeing them in real sentences reinforces correct usage.
Why Learning Their vs There Matters
Clear writing: Avoid confusion in essays, emails, and assignments.
Professional communication: Proper grammar makes you sound confident and educated.
Boosts confidence in English: When you know the rules, you can focus on expressing ideas instead of worrying about mistakes.
Foundation for advanced grammar: Understanding ownership and existence concepts prepares you for more complex topics like possessive pronouns and existential sentences.
PlanetSpark Spoken English: Learn Grammar in Context
Learning grammar rules is important, but using them in context is what makes you fluent. PlanetSpark’s Spoken English course focuses on:
Interactive Grammar Learning – No Rote Learning
Grammar is taught through stories, dialogues, role plays, and error correction, instead of memorizing rules.Gamified Learning Tools
Students learn grammar via quizzes, word puzzles, and engaging exercises that make learning fun.Integrated Writing Practice
Every grammar topic comes with sentence-building and writing tasks to reinforce practical application.Grammar Proficiency Levels
From basic nouns and verbs to advanced conditionals and passive voice, progress is measured with clear milestones.Parent Reports on Grammar Skillsets
Track improvement in writing fluency, sentence structure, grammatical accuracy, logical flow, critical thinking, and confidence.
1:1 Personal Trainers at PlanetSpark
Every student gets a certified communication expert who provides:
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Focus on fluency, storytelling, grammar, and public speaking
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SparkX – AI-Enabled Video Analysis
Record speeches, stories, or presentations
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This reinforces lessons outside live classes and ensures consistent practice.
Spark Diary – Nurturing Writing Habits Digitally
Daily reflections, stories, and poems
Structured writing prompts from trainers
Builds consistency, clarity, creativity, and expression
Motivating Conclusion: Elevate Your English Skills with Confidence
Mastering their vs there is just the first step toward flawless English. With PlanetSpark’s personalized and interactive approach, students gain confidence in grammar, speaking, writing, and creative expression. Whether it’s mastering sentence structure, storytelling, or public speaking, PlanetSpark ensures every learner grows at their own pace, enjoys the process, and achieves real results.
Join PlanetSpark English grammar class and unlock your full language potential today!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Their is a possessive adjective, showing ownership. For example, “Their books are on the table.”
There refers to a place or position. For example, “The books are over there.”
At Planet Spark, we teach kids fun ways to remember these common tricky words with interactive exercises and storytelling.
Use their when something belongs to someone. Think: their + noun.
Example: Their dog is very playful.
If you focus on small, consistent practice, you can master this easily—even a few minutes a day, as suggested in creative writing exercises like those at Planet Spark.
Yes! There is often used to introduce a statement or indicate existence.
Example: There are many ways to learn English effectively.
It’s a simple tip that helps in both writing essays and storytelling.
Think “their” has “heir” in it, which relates to possession. “There” relates to place or location. Mnemonic tricks like these make it easier to avoid mistakes in writing and can be a fun exercise for kids and beginners learning English.
Yes, many learners confuse them, especially in informal writing. Example mistake: There going to the park (incorrect). Correct: They’re going to the park. Practicing with interactive exercises, like the ones in Planet Spark’s creative writing sessions, can help reduce these errors significantly.
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