Examples of Their, There and They’re in Sentences

Their, there, and they’re are pronounced similarly but don’t have the same meaning. You can recognize which one is correct from the context.

• There is most commonly used to mean “at that point” or “in that place.”
• Their is the possessive form of the third-person plural pronoun “they.” It means “belonging to them.”
• They’re is a shortened version of “they are.”

That is, they sound alike but are spelled differently and have different meanings. Discover how these three terms differ and review examples of how to properly use there, their and they’re in sentences.

What Does There Mean?

The simplest definition of there is “in or at that place.” It is usually used as an adverb of place, meaning it expresses where an action is taking place. This is the main quality that sets there apart from the other words in its homonymic trio.

There is often used to denote a specific location:

• There it is.
• Put it there.
• Stay there.
• We’ll be there soon.

It’s about location in the more abstract sense too:

• There you go.
• There is where we disagree.
• Friends who are always there for you.

It’s also the one to use as the first word in sentences that have the subject after the verb:

• There is a nice hotel in the town.

And it’s the one used with the verb be at the beginning of sentences and questions:

• There are plenty available.
• Is there a hotel in the town?

The other two are trickier because they both have the idea of the plural in them. They key is discerning between the contraction for “they are” (they’re) and the possessive of “belonging to them” (their).

The table below summarizes the various uses of the word.

Part of speech	Function	Example
Adverb	Meaning “in/at/to that place” or “at that point in time”	Steve wants to go there on his holidays. She stopped there and looked at her phone.
Pronoun	Used to introduce a word or clause. Used as an indefinite substitute for someone’s name	There is going to be trouble tonight. Hello there.
Noun	Meaning “that place or position” or “that point”	It is neither here nor there. I’ll prepare the food, and you can take it from there.
Adjective	Used to provide emphasis. Meaning “capable of being relied on for help”	Grab that book there. I’ll be there for you if you need me.
Interjection	Used to express feelings of relief, approval, encouragement, and consolation	There! The job is done. There, I knew you could do it. There, that’s it. There, there, it will be okay.

What Does Their Mean?

The word their is the possessive form of the pronoun they. Often followed by a noun, their indicates ownership and describes something owned by one or more persons.

The simplest way to remember what’s unique about their is that it denotes possession or ownership. This means that it is most commonly used as a third-person pronoun, describing a noun that is owned by several people.

Although their is generally used in a plural form, it is also used as a gender-neutral personal pronoun in place of his or her.

Examples of Their in a sentence

• “They came in their cars.”
• “Her taunts had lost their power to touch him.”
• “Anyone can have their say.”
• “Parents are keen to help their children.”
• “Everyone should bring their own food.”
• “Sasha feels comfortable wearing a skirt. It’s part of their style.”
• “A double portrait of their majesties”
• He was realizing the impact the lie had on their relationship.
• Why don’t you put her on the bed in their room?
• Two children, a brother, and sister, were on their way to school.
• The birds flew to their nests.
• The travelers now resumed their walk toward the cottage, which they had presently reached.
• He put the birds softly, one by one, into their warm little home.
• I miss their annual calendar.
• Perhaps the soldiers had given up their plan.
• Not if you judge by the car and their clothes.
• That got their attention.
• Their breathing synced, and she stilled.

What Does They’re Mean?

Last, but not least, they’re is a contraction that means “they are.” This makes it a little easier to distinguish from its fellow homonyms, as you can always check if it’s the right word by stretching out the contraction into its full form and asking whether it still makes sense.

They’re is a contraction that means “they are.” You can remember that apostrophes indicate the possessive only when used of ‘s, such as “the writer’s thoughts.”

If you can substitute, they are without changing the meaning of the sentence, they’re will also work.

Examples of They’re in a sentence

• Go over that way, they’re there.
• I suppose they’re both a little artificial.
• I guess they’re not as tame as they look.
• You think they’re in there?
• The children; they’re the important ones.
• I don’t think they’re with us any more.
• I hear they’re jumping into the boat up north.
• Yes, I’d send them on in front, but no fear, they’re crowding up behind.
• See what they’re saying.
• It’s not easy with these guys; they’re a level of government all to themselves.
• You’re convinced they’re not real?
• You don’t think they’re the enemies.
• But they’re safe, Dusty, I promise.
• Eleven women jumped over their TVs to either adopt her or say they’re a mommy.
• Nope. But they’re in love.
• I got a nice strong feeling they’re blocking me out of the picture.
• Whether they’re just wishful thinking, only time will tell!

How to Use They’re, There, and Their

Whenever you find yourself wondering which is the correct usage here are some tips that will make it easier to pick the correct word.

Their, there, and they’re are all pronounced the same way. Their is the possessive pronoun, as in “their car is red”; there is used as an adjective, “he is always there for me,” a noun, “get away from there,” and, chiefly, an adverb, “stop right there”; they’re is a contraction of “they are,” as in “they’re getting married.”

“Their” Usage

You can take a hint from the spelling. “Their” has the word “heir” in it, indicating possession; this can help remind you to use “their” in your sentence. “Their” is also plural so do not use if when referring to a specific person. 

“There” Usage

Once again you can use spelling to select the correct word. When using “there” as a place or location it is the opposite of “here”; the word “here” is in the word which can remind you that this is the correct word for a place.

“They’re” Usage

“They’re” is a contraction of the words “they” and “are”. When you are trying to decide if “they’re” is the correct word to use, try substituting the words “they are” in the sentence. If the sentence makes sense, the word is correct.

More Examples of There vs. Their vs. They’re

• They’re going to move their car over there, closer to the apartment.
• There isn’t much clarity about their plans, but they’re usually right about these things.
• Their new idea is up there with the best, but they’re going to need more money to make it happen.

There vs Their:

• There wasn’t any room for their things, so they bought a new closet.
• Their favorite city is New York, but they don’t go there in the winter.
• Is that their suitcase over there?

There vs They’re:

• They’re going to walk there instead.
• There is a chance that they’re going to be late.
• If they’re there before me, let me know.

They’re vs Their:

• If they don’t study, they’re going to fail their exams.
• Their biggest problem is that they’re easily distracted.
• It isn’t that they’re lazy, it’s their short attention span.

There, Their, They’re Worksheet

1. Sadly, it is obvious that ________ the worst team in the league.
2. I always say, “________ is no better time than the present.”
3. I hope ________ are no nuts in this cake.
4. I got stuck in traffic on my way to ________ apartment.
5. It was ________ last game of the season.
6. It’s not ________ fault that none of the players know how to play.
7. Paul said that ________ going to need a lot of rest after the trip.
8. Soon it was clear that ________ was no way out.
9. The class was shocked when ________ teacher assigned the 10-page paper.
10. ________ camp counselor gave them some advice that they never forgot.
11. ________ are too many people in this elevator.
12. ________ going to raise money to buy new uniforms.
13. We were ________ last week and we attended ________ church.
14. *BONUS QUESTION* After school, ________ going over ________ if ________ parents approve.

There, Their, They’re Worksheet Answers

1. Sadly, it is obvious that they’re the worst team in the league.
2. I always say, “There is no better time than the present.”
3. I hope there are no nuts in this cake.
4. I got stuck in traffic on my way to their apartment.
5. It was their last game of the season.
6. It’s not their fault that none of the players know how to play.
7. Paul said that they’re going to need a lot of rest after the trip.
8. Soon it was clear that there was no way out.
9. The class was shocked when their teacher assigned the 10-page paper.
10. Their camp counselor gave them some advice that they never forgot.
11. There are too many people in this elevator.
12. They’re going to raise money to buy new uniforms.
13. We were there last week and we attended their church.
14. After school, they’re going over there if their parents approve.