Their vs. There: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Harlon Moss || Updated on October 20, 2023
"Their" is a possessive pronoun denoting ownership, while "there" refers to a place or introduces a statement.
Key Differences
"Their" and "there" are two words that, despite their phonetic similarities, serve very different purposes in the English language. "Their" is a possessive pronoun, indicating ownership or association. It's utilized when referring to something that belongs to or is associated with a group of people. For instance, in the sentence "The children left their toys outside," "their" denotes the toys belonging to the children.
On the other hand, "there" is primarily an adverb indicating a place or position. For example, "The books are over there" uses "there" to pinpoint the location of the books. However, "there" isn't limited to just indicating location. It also plays the role of a pronoun in sentences, introducing a subject or topic. In "There is a problem," "there" introduces the subject, "a problem."
Another distinction between "their" and "there" is in their grammatical functions. While "their" will always function as a possessive determiner preceding a noun, "there" has a more versatile role. It can operate as an adverb, pronoun, noun, or interjection, depending on the context.
Understanding the difference between "their" and "there" is crucial for clear and effective communication. Misusing these words can lead to confusion or misinterpretation. For learners of English, it's essential to practice and recognize the contexts in which each word is used to ensure proper usage.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Possessive pronoun.
Adverb, pronoun, noun, interjection.
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Indicates
Ownership or association.
Location, existence, or introduces a subject.
Example Usage
Their car is blue.
The keys are over there.
Function in Sentence
Precedes a noun to show ownership.
Can indicate place or introduce a statement/subject.
Common Mistake
Confusing with "they're."
Confusing with "their" or "they're."
Their and There Definitions
Their
Used to describe something belonging to a group.
The students submitted their assignments.
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There
Introduces a statement or subject.
There are five apples in the basket.
Their
Denotes a relationship or connection.
The twins have their own secret language.
There
Refers to a specific place or location.
The keys are on the table over there.
Their
A possessive pronoun showing ownership.
Their house is beautiful.
There
Acts as a placeholder in a sentence.
There seems to be an error in the calculations.
Their
Indicates association with a collective.
Their team won the championship.
There
Used to express existence.
There is a solution to this problem.
Their
Refers to possession without specifying gender.
Someone left their umbrella here.
There
Can be used as an interjection.
Hey there!
Their
Used as a modifier before a noun
The politicians boasted of their accomplishments. “It is fatal for anyone who writes to think of their sex” (Virginia Woolf). See Usage Notes at he1, they.
There
At or in that place
Sit over there.
Their
Belonging to, from, of, or relating to, them (plural).
They will meet tomorrow at their convenience
This is probably their cat
Their
Belonging to someone (one person, singular).
Their
Misspelling of there
Their
The possessive case of the personal pronoun they; as, their houses; their country.
Nothing but the name of zeal appears'Twixt our best actions and the worst of theirs.
FAQs
Can "there" be used to introduce a statement?
Yes, "there" can introduce a subject or topic, as in "There is an issue."
Is "there" only used to indicate location?
No, "there" can also introduce statements or express existence.
How is "their" related to "they"?
"Their" is the possessive form of "they," denoting ownership.
What does "their" indicate in a sentence?
"Their" is a possessive pronoun indicating ownership or association.
Can "their" be used with singular antecedents?
Yes, especially as a gender-neutral possessive: "Each student has their own book."
What part of speech is "their"?
"Their" is a possessive pronoun.
In what situations is "there" used as an interjection?
"There" can be used to comfort or console, as in "There, there, it'll be okay."
Can "their" be used for singular nouns?
In modern English, "their" can be used as a singular gender-neutral possessive.
Is "their" used for both animate and inanimate objects?
Yes, "their" can refer to ownership of both living and non-living entities.
Can "their" refer to two people?
Yes, "their" can refer to two or more individuals.
Is it correct to say "There's apples"?
Grammatically, it should be "There are apples," but colloquially, "There's apples" might be heard.
How do I avoid confusing "their" and "there"?
Remember "their" shows ownership, while "there" often refers to location or existence.
Does "there" always come before a verb?
Often, but not always, especially when introducing a statement.
Is "they're" related to "their" and "there"?
"They're" is a contraction of "they are," distinct from "their" (ownership) and "there" (place/introduction).
Can "there" be used as a noun?
Yes, in cases like "From here to there."
How do native speakers distinguish between "their" and "there"?
Context plays a key role in distinguishing their meanings despite their similar sound.
Are "their" and "there" pronounced the same way?
They are homophones, so they sound similar, but context determines their usage.
What's a common mistake involving "their"?
Confusing "their" with "there" or "they're" is a typical mistake.
Can "there" start a sentence?
Absolutely, especially when introducing a subject or topic.
Is "there" synonymous with "here"?
No, "there" indicates a place away from the speaker, while "here" is closer.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
