there're → there are

"There're" is a rare written contraction and often reads as a typo. The safest fixes are to write "there are" or to rewrite the sentence so the real subject comes first.

Use the examples and quick edits below to spot and fix "there're" in work, school, or casual writing.

Short answer

"There're" is fine in speech but almost never in writing. Expand to "there are" or put the subject first.

Formal writing: always expand or rewrite.
Dialogue/transcripts: keep only for faithful speech; prefer clearer alternatives.
Fast edit: expand → name the subject → tighten.

Core explanation

"There are" uses a dummy subject: "there" introduces the sentence and the real subject follows (e.g., "There are three errors"). Keeping the full phrase preserves clarity and agreement.

"There're" squeezes two short words into an apostrophe cluster that can be hard to read and easy to mistype. Editors usually expand it.

Match verb to the subject: plural → "there are"; singular → "there is" (or informally "there's").
If a contraction creates friction or confusion, write the full words.

Spacing and punctuation

Apostrophes mark omitted letters, but between two tiny words they can look odd. Hyphens are not a fix-expand or restructure instead.

If an apostrophe reduces clarity, remove it by using the full phrase.
Avoid inventing hyphens or odd punctuation to force spacing.

Spacing: Wrong: "There're-5 items missing." →
Right: "There are 5 items missing."
Typo-risk: Wrong: "There're" → can become "Therere" or "There' re". Expand to avoid errors.

Real usage

Keep "there're" only in verbatim transcripts or deliberately clipped dialogue. Even then, use it sparingly-readers often prefer smoother renderings.

Transcripts: preserve if required; consider normalizing for readability.
Fiction/dialogue: use only if it adds recognizable voice and the context supports informal speech.

Transcript: Interviewer: "There're teams working on that?" - OK for verbatim logs, but editors often convert to: "Are teams working on that?"
Dialogue: Safer: "There are a lot of cops over there," she said. If voice demands: "There're loads of cops over there."

Examples: wrong → right (work, school, casual)

Each Right example is either the expanded form or a tighter rewrite you can copy. Replace the nouns to match your content.

Work:
Wrong: "There're several items on the agenda we must discuss." →
Right: "There are several items on the agenda we must discuss." → Better: "We must discuss several items on the agenda."
Work:
Wrong: "There're three reports that haven't been uploaded to the server." →
Right: "Three reports haven't been uploaded to the server."
Work:
Wrong: "There're people from finance joining the call at 2 p.m." →
Right: "People from Finance are joining the call at 2 p.m."
School:
Wrong: "There're many sources cited, but some are outdated." →
Right: "There are many sources cited, but some are outdated." → Better: "Many sources are cited, but some are outdated."
School:
Wrong: "There're two experiments that produced contradictory results." →
Right: "Two experiments produced contradictory results."
School:
Wrong: "There're students who requested extensions for the assignment." →
Right: "Several students requested extensions for the assignment."
Casual:
Wrong: "There're a ton of good tacos on that street." →
Right: "There are a ton of good tacos on that street."
Casual:
Wrong: "There're only a few seats left for the show." →
Right: "Only a few seats are left for the show."
Casual:
Wrong: "There're loads of reasons to visit the new cafe." →
Right: "There are loads of reasons to visit the new café."
Extra: Wrong: "There're a lot of small steps between draft one and publication." →
Right: "There are many small steps between the first draft and publication."

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence, not just the phrase. Context often makes the correct form obvious.

Rewrite help

Three quick steps to fix any sentence with "there're":

Step 1: Expand the contraction to "there are."
Step 2: Identify the real subject (the noun phrase after the verb).
Step 3: Start with the subject or use an active verb; drop filler words.

Example: Original: "There're opportunities available for interns." → Expand: "There are opportunities available for interns." →
Rewrite: "Interns have several opportunities."
Example: Original: "There're three reasons she declined the offer." →
Rewrite: "She declined the offer for three reasons."
Example: Original: "There're errors in cells B2 to B10." →
Rewrite: "Errors appear in cells B2-B10."

Memory trick

Ask: 1) Is this formal? 2) Can I name the subject quickly? 3) Does it sound natural aloud? If formal → expand. If subject is obvious and it reads well → rewrite subject-first.

Mnemonic: Formal? Expand. Subject clear? Rewrite. Read aloud? Fix.
Quick test: "There're three options." Formal? Yes → expand. Subject obvious? Yes → try "Three options remain."

Similar mistakes

Nearby errors include using "there's" with plural subjects, confusing there/their/they're, and inventing contractions like "there'ren't".

Don't write: "There's many reasons" → Correct: "There are many reasons."
Watch for: "Their going" (wrong) vs. "They're going" (correct).
Invented contractions (e.g., "There'ren't") are incorrect-use "There aren't".

When to avoid contractions (audience & register)

Avoid marginal contractions-including "there're"-in academic papers, business reports, legal documents, and polished marketing copy. Keep them only in quick notes, chat, or intentionally rendered dialogue.

Audience expecting polished prose → expand or rewrite.
Casual chat → you can use informal forms, but prefer clarity in written messages.

Advice: Email to client: change "There're several options" → "There are several options."
Advice: Text to friend: "There are too many tabs open, can't join" (avoid forcing rare contractions).

FAQ

Is "there're" correct?

It represents spoken "there are," but it's rare in writing. Prefer "there are" or a subject-first rewrite.

Can I use "there're" in formal writing?

No. Formal contexts call for the full phrase or a rewrite; unusual contractions look like typos.

How do I quickly fix a sentence that uses "there're"?

Expand to "there are," then, if it still feels weak, start with the real subject and read aloud.

What's the difference between "there's" and "there are"?

"There's" contracts "there is" and pairs with singular or uncountable subjects (informally sometimes used with plurals). "There are" pairs with plural subjects for correct agreement.

Should I preserve "there're" in transcripts?

Only if your style requires verbatim transcription. Many standards normalize speech to improve readability.

Need to double-check a sentence?

Paste the sentence into a checker or run the three-step edit: expand, reposition the subject, tighten. The examples above work as templates-swap in your noun phrases and you'll have a polished line quickly.