Common Grammar Mistakes: They're vs. Their

Grammar can be tricky, and even the most seasoned writers sometimes make mistakes. One common mistake is using the words "they're" and "their" interchangeably, when in fact they have different meanings and uses.

They're

"They're" is a contraction of the words "they" and "are." It is used to indicate that a group of people or things are in a particular state or doing a specific action. For example:

• Correct: They're going to the park.
• Incorrect: They're car is blue. (Correct: Their car is blue.)

As shown in the example, "they're" is used to show that a group of people (they) are doing something (going to the park). It is important to note that "they're" cannot be used to indicate possession.

Their

"Their" is a possessive pronoun used to indicate that something belongs to a group of people. For example:

• Correct: Their dog is cute.
• Incorrect: Their going to the movies. (Correct: They're going to the movies.)

In the second example above, "their" is used to show possession. It is important to note that "their" does not indicate an action, like "they're" does.

Mixing up "they're" and "their" can lead to confusion and misunderstanding in your writing. To avoid errors, it's important to understand the correct usage of each word.

Linguix grammar checker can help you identify and correct common grammar mistakes like using "they're" and "their" incorrectly. By using Linguix, you can ensure that your writing is error-free and communicates your ideas effectively.