there (their)

Mixing up there, their and they're makes writing look careless. They sound alike but play different roles: there points to a place or introduces existence; their shows possession; they're contracts they are. Learn quick checks and rewrite patterns so a glance or a short test fixes the error.

Quick answer

There = place or existence. Their = possession. They're = they are.

If you can add a location (over there, here), use there.
If the word shows ownership, use their.
If you can expand it to "they are," use they're.

Core explanation: what each word does

There is an adverb (place) or an expletive introducing existence: "There is a meeting." Their is a possessive pronoun: "Their presentation." They're is a contraction of "they are": "They're presenting."

When unsure, try the substitution tests: add a location, test possession, or expand to "they are." Those three short checks catch most mistakes.

Wrong: I left my keys their on the table.
Right: I left my keys there on the table.
Wrong: Their is a park just around the corner.
Right: There is a park just around the corner.
Wrong: Their going to be late.
Right: They're going to be late.

Spacing and hyphenation: check the obvious mis-joins

Many errors come from fast typing that merges words: bagthere, deskthere, keyshere. Fix spacing first-often that resolves the issue immediately.

Wrong: I left my bagthere.
Right: I left my bag there.

A quick grammar map: roles and tests

Three fast tests you can run in seconds: 1) Expand to "they are" → they're. 2) Replace with "over there" or a location → there. 3) If it shows ownership → their. Use them before you post or send anything important.

Quick test: Replace with "they are" → if it makes sense, use they're.
Quick test: Add "over" before the word → if it still makes sense, use there.

Real usage and tone: formal vs. casual

Accuracy matters in formal writing (reports, essays, official emails). In casual messages, contractions (they're) are fine, but homophone mistakes still interrupt reading. Prioritize clarity: shorter sentences reduce confusion.

Casual - Wrong: Put it on their, near the charger.Casual -
Right: Put it on there, near the charger.

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence, not just the isolated word-context usually makes the right choice obvious.

Examples you can copy: work, school and casual

Below are common wrong-right pairs you can use as templates. Notice whether the fix is a location swap, a possessive, or a contraction change.

Work - Wrong: I left my laptop their on the conference table.Work -
Right: I left my laptop there on the conference table.
Work - Wrong: Their are three action items for you.Work -
Right: There are three action items for you.
Work - Wrong: Please confirm if their will be a projector.Work -
Right: Please confirm if there will be a projector.
School - Wrong: Their is a typo on page 5 of the handout.School -
Right: There is a typo on page 5 of the handout.
School - Wrong: I left my homework their on the teacher's desk.School -
Right: I left my homework there on the teacher's desk.
School - Wrong: There dog won the prize at the science fair.School -
Right: Their dog won the prize at the science fair.
Casual - Wrong: I left my wallet their, by the coffee machine.Casual -
Right: I left my wallet there, by the coffee machine.
Casual - Wrong: Their going to the concert without us.Casual -
Right: They're going to the concert without us.
Casual - Wrong: Is their going to be a break?Casual -
Right: Is there going to be a break?

Rewrite help: make sentences cleaner and less error-prone

Sometimes removing the problematic word improves clarity more than swapping it. Shorter, active sentences reduce homophone traps.

Original: I left my keys their on the desk. →
Rewrite: I left my keys on the desk.
Original: There seems to be a problem with their printer. →
Rewrite: The printer appears to be malfunctioning.
Original: I left my notes their by accident. →
Rewrite: I accidentally left my notes there.

Fix your own sentence: a quick diagnostic you can use every time

Checklist: 1) Can this be "they are"? → they're. 2) Is it a location or existence? → there. 3) Does it show ownership? → their. Read aloud if you're stuck.

Walkthrough example: "I left my keys their on the table." Test "they are?" no. Test location? yes → use there: "I left my keys there on the table."

Try it: I left my keys their on the table. → I left my keys there on the table.

Memory tricks and similar mistakes to watch for

Mnemonic: their has an i (think "ownership, I own it"), there points to where (think "over there"), and they're expands to they are. Apply the same tests to your/you're and its/it's: expand contractions and check for possession.

Wrong: Your going to love this.
Right: You're going to love this.
Wrong: Its a nice day for a walk.
Right: It's a nice day for a walk.

FAQ

How do I remember when to use there vs their vs they're?

Run three quick checks: expand to "they are" (they're), test for possession (their), and try a location substitution like "over there" (there). The mnemonic about the "i" in their helps too.

Is it okay to use they're in formal writing?

They're is a contraction and is best avoided in very formal academic or legal writing. In business and everyday reports it's often acceptable if the tone is conversational; otherwise write out "they are" or rephrase.

Why do I keep typing their when I mean there?

Fast typing, muscle memory, and spellcheck suggestions cause the mistake. Slow down briefly, run the substitution checks, and the error becomes easy to spot.

Can grammar checkers catch every there/their/they're mistake?

Most tools flag obvious homophone errors but may miss subtle context issues. Use a checker for quick catches, then run the three substitution tests for certainty.

Example correction: "I left my keys their" - is that wrong?

Yes. You're referring to a location, so use there: "I left my keys there."

Want one-click confidence?

When you want an automatic second check, paste your sentence into a grammar checker and then run the substitution tests above. The two steps together catch nearly every mistake and help you write with more confidence.