they're (their) JJS NN

They sound the same but do different jobs: they're = they are (contraction). Their = possessive (belongs to them). Use quick checks and rewrites to fix sentences fast.

Quick answer

They're = they are (contraction). Their = possessive pronoun (something belongs to them). If you can expand the word to "they are" and the sentence still makes sense, use they're. If the word shows ownership-car, idea, report-use their.

• Expansion test: Replace with "they are." If it reads correctly, use they're.
• Possession test: If the word modifies a noun (their book, their boss), use their.
• Say it aloud: Hearing "they are" usually exposes incorrect possessive use.

Core explanation

They're is a contraction of they + are and always stands in for those two words. Their is the possessive form showing ownership or association. They are separate parts of speech and cannot substitute for one another.

• They're (contraction): They're excited about the move. → They are excited about the move.
• Their (possessive): Their apartment is on the third floor. → shows ownership of apartment.

Remember: their can be singular as a gender-neutral possessive-"Each student should bring their notes." The expansion test still works for distinguishing they're vs. their in most sentences.

Real usage: work, school, casual

Examples from everyday contexts make the difference obvious. Read each pair and try the expansion test when you hesitate.

• Work
  • Wrong: They're deadline is next Friday. (sounds like "they are deadline")
  • Right: Their deadline is next Friday.
  • Wrong: Their reviewing the report now. (sounds like possession but follows a verb)
  • Right: They're reviewing the report now.
  • Wrong: The team forgot their laptop. (if team = ownership, this is correct)
  • Right (alternate): The team forgot they're presenting tomorrow. (if meaning "they are")
• School
  • Wrong: They're assignment is due Monday. → incorrect
  • Right: Their assignment is due Monday.
  • Wrong: Their studying for the exam tonight. → incorrect
  • Right: They're studying for the exam tonight.
  • Right: Each student must submit their essay. (singular, gender-neutral their)
• Casual
  • Wrong: Their coming over at seven. → incorrect
  • Right: They're coming over at seven.
  • Wrong: They're shoes are muddy. → incorrect
  • Right: Their shoes are muddy.
  • Right: I love their new playlist. (possession)

Wrong vs right pairs you can copy

Quick swap examples you can paste into messages or notes when you need a fast fix.

• Wrong: The guests said they're coats were warm.
  Right: The guests said their coats were warm.
• Wrong: They're going to finish the survey later.
  Right: They're going to finish the survey later. (correct)
• Wrong: I think their running late.
  Right: I think they're running late.
• Wrong: Their idea improved the design.
  Right: Their idea improved the design. (correct)
• Wrong: Are their coming with us?
  Right: Are they're coming with us? → better: Are they coming with us?
• Wrong: They're car needs gas.
  Right: Their car needs gas.

How to fix your own sentence (rewrite help)

Avoid blind swapping. Decide the intended meaning, then either expand, correct, or rewrite for clarity.

• Step 1: identify meaning-possession or state/action?
• Step 2: apply the expansion test or check for a following noun.
• Step 3: rewrite if the direct fix sounds awkward.

• Rewrite example 1 Original: This plan is they're best option. → Fix: This plan is their best option.
• Rewrite example 2 Original: Is their ready for the meeting? → Fix: Are they ready for the meeting?
• Rewrite example 3 Original: I hope they're new draft is clean. → Fix: I hope their new draft is clean.

When you're unsure, substitute a noun instead: "the team," "the students," or spell out "they are" to remove ambiguity.

Memory trick

Link form to function. Picture "they're" as two words stuck together-if you can hear "they are," it's the contraction. Picture "their" as pointing at a thing-ownership of a noun.

• Hear "they are" = they're.
• Before a noun = their.
• Search and fix in bulk: run a find for "they're/their" in a draft and test each instance quickly.

Hyphenation, spacing, and related grammar notes

This pair isn't about hyphens or spacing, but writers who mix they're/their often make other form errors. Watch for split words or wrong attachments elsewhere.

• Spacing errors: make sure compound words follow standard form (e.g., "email" not "e-mail" depending on style).
• Hyphenation: check whether two words are normally hyphenated or closed-consistency matters.
• Related grammar: confusion between possessive adjectives (their), contractions (they're), and adverbs (there) is common-use context to choose.

Similar mistakes to watch for

Once one small form mistake appears, similar slips often follow. A quick scan saves time.

• their / they're / there
• your / you're
• its / it's
• loose / lose

Try your sentence

Test the whole sentence, not just the single word. Context usually makes the correct choice obvious.

FAQ

Can I use they're in formal writing?

They're is a contraction, so prefer "they are" in formal academic, legal, or highly formal business writing. In most business emails and everyday writing, they're is fine if the tone is conversational.

What's the fastest way to know which to use?

Do the expansion test: replace with "they are." If the sentence still makes sense, use they're. If the word modifies a noun to show ownership, use their.

Is their correct for a single person?

Yes. Their is widely accepted as a singular, gender-neutral possessive: "Each author should update their bio."

Why does my grammar checker sometimes flag their?

Checkers use context. If they detect a following verb or something that sounds like it needs "they are," they may suggest they're. Use the expansion test to decide.

How do I avoid this mistake in quick messages?

Pause a beat and run the expansion test in your head. If unsure, rephrase with a clear noun ("the team") or write "they are" to be safe.

One last quick habit

Before you send: scan for any they're/their, run the expansion test, and make one of three moves-expand, change to their, or rewrite the sentence. A small habit prevents a common slip.