please not (note) that

If you write "Their going to," you either missed an apostrophe or picked the wrong word. Below are quick fixes, ready-to-copy rewrites for work, school, and casual contexts, plus simple tests and a memory trick to fix sentences in seconds.

Scan the examples, copy the lines that match your context, and paste them into your message.

Quick answer

Use they're (they're = they are) when you mean "they are going to." Use their for possession (their plan). Use there for place or existence (there is/there are).

they're = they are → They're going to arrive soon.
their = possessive + noun → Their feedback is ready.
there = place or existence → There are three seats left.

Core explanation: why "Their going to" is wrong

"Their" is a possessive determiner and must be followed by a noun (their schedule). "They're" is the contraction of they + are and must be used where a verb phrase follows (they're going). "There" points to location or existence.

Fast test: replace the suspect word with "they are." If the sentence still makes sense, use they're/they are. If a noun should follow, use their. If it's about place or existence, use there.

they're = they are (actions): They're going to arrive.
their = possession (noun follows): Their feedback is ready.
there = place/existence: There are three seats left.

Wrong: Their going to update the slide deck.
Right: They're going to update the slide deck.

Rewrite patterns you can copy (fast fixes)

Pick the pattern that matches tone and formality and paste it into your sentence: adjust the verb or noun as needed.

Casual: They're going to + verb. Example: They're going to approve this.
Formal: They are going to + verb. Example: They are going to present the Q3 results.
Schedule tone: They + verb (simple present). Example: They meet the client at 10 a.m.
Reserved future: They will + verb. Example: They will require additional time.

Rewrite:
Wrong: Their going to approve this. → Quick fix: They're going to approve this. →
Formal: They are going to approve this.
Rewrite:
Wrong: Their going to hand in the assignment tomorrow. → Quick fix: They're going to hand in the assignment tomorrow. →
Formal: They are scheduled to submit the assignment tomorrow.
Rewrite:
Wrong: Their going to need more time. → Quick fix: They're going to need more time. → Business: They will require additional time.
Rewrite:
Wrong: Their going to the store for supplies. → Fix (casual): They're going to the store for supplies. → If you mean ownership: Their store sells supplies.
Rewrite:
Wrong: Are their going to be seats left? → Fix: Are there going to be seats left?

Examples: practical wrong/right pairs (scan and reuse)

Use these direct swaps as templates.

Wrong: Their going to lead the meeting tomorrow. →
Right: They're going to lead the meeting tomorrow.
Wrong: Their going to the concert with their friends. →
Right: They're going to the concert with their friends.
Wrong: Their going to finish its part of the project. →
Right: They're going to finish their part of the project.
Wrong: I told them their going to be late. →
Right: I told them they're going to be late.
Wrong: Their going to love your new design. →
Right: They're going to love your new design.
Wrong: Their going to need more time to study. →
Right: They're going to need more time to study.

Work examples (emails, agendas, Slack)

At work, this slip can look unprofessional. Match the formality to the channel.

Slack / quick note → use contraction: they're. Example: Incorrect (Slack): Their going to join the call at 2. → Correct: They're going to join the call at 2.
Formal email → expand to they are or use will. Example: Instead of "Their going to present Q3 results," write "They will present the Q3 results" or "They are presenting the Q3 results."
Agenda / report → prefer simple present or will for clarity. Example: "They will request an extension."

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence, not just the phrase. Context makes the correct choice clear.

School examples (homework, feedback, essays)

Use contractions in chats; expand or rephrase in formal feedback and essays.

Group chat → they're is fine. Example: Their going to finish the lab notes tonight. → They're going to finish the lab notes tonight.
Teacher feedback → expand: They are going to submit the assignment late.
Essay → avoid contractions: "They will discuss these factors" or rewrite to "The students will discuss these factors."

Casual examples (texts, social posts, spoken style)

Casual contexts almost always use contractions. Watch for confusion with there in questions about availability or place.

Text: Their going to bring snacks. → Correct: They're going to bring snacks.
Social post: Their going to love this! → Correct: They're going to love this!
Question about availability: Are their going to be tickets left? → Correct: Are there going to be tickets left?

Spacing and apostrophes (quick rules)

Contractions use an apostrophe with no spaces: they're. Never separate the apostrophe with a space and never use an apostrophe to form a plural.

When unsure, expand the contraction: write they are to see if it fits.

Correct: They're arriving soon.
Incorrect: They 're arriving soon. (space breaks it)
Incorrect: Their' arriving soon. (apostrophe in the wrong place)
Plurals: the 1990s, not 1990's.

Usage: Wrong spacing: They 're going to be late. → Correct: They're going to be late.
Usage: Wrong apostrophe: Their' arriving later. → Correct: They're arriving later.

Hyphenation note, memory trick, and similar mistakes

Apostrophes are for contractions and possession. Hyphens join compound words (two-week). They are not interchangeable.

Mnemonic: Try replacing the word with "my." If "my going to" sounds wrong, then try "they are." If "they are" reads correctly, use they're. If a noun follows, keep their. If it indicates place or existence, use there.

Apostrophe example: they're = they are (use ').
Hyphen example: two-week notice (use -).
Mnemonic steps: 1) Replace with "they are." 2) Replace with "my." 3) If location, try "there."
Other homophones to check together: your/you're, its/it's, were/we're, who's/whose, to/too/two.

FAQ

Is "Their going to" ever correct?

No. "Their" is possessive and cannot directly precede a verb phrase. If you mean "they are," use they're or they are. If you mean possession, use their + noun. If you mean place or existence, use there.

When should I use they're vs they are?

Use they're in casual writing, chats, and most emails. Use they are in formal writing or when spelling out both words avoids ambiguity.

How do I quickly check a message for this mistake?

Three quick checks: 1) Replace the word with "they are" - if it fits, use they're/they are. 2) Replace with "my" - if that works, keep their. 3) If it refers to location or existence, use there. These take under 10 seconds.

Will grammar checkers catch "Their going to"?

Most will flag a missing apostrophe or suggest a word swap, but suggestions can misfire. Use the three-step check and accept the suggestion only if it matches your intended meaning.

What other homophones should I check while fixing this error?

Also check your/you're, its/it's, were/we're, who's/whose, and to/too/two. Use the same substitution tests: expand contractions or try a sensible possessive.

Quick habit to avoid the mistake

Add the three-step check (they are → my → there) to your quick review routine and you'll catch most errors before you send. For extra confidence, paste suspect sentences into a grammar checker and confirm the suggestion matches your intended meaning.