VBZ IN they're (their) NN

They're (they're = they are) and their (possessive) sound the same but mean different things. Use two quick checks - replace with "they are" and check whether the word names something that belongs to someone - to pick the right form fast.

Run the replacement test first; if that fails, check for possession. Examples and short rewrites below make it easy to fix sentences for work, school, or casual use.

Quick answer

Use they're when you mean "they are." Use their to show possession.

They're = they are (They're late → They are late).
Their = possessive (their car, their idea).
Quick test: replace the word with "they are." If it still makes sense, use they're; otherwise use their.

Core explanation: contraction vs. possessive

They're is a contraction of they + are and always stands in for a verb phrase. Their is a possessive pronoun that attaches to nouns to show ownership or association.

They're = they are (they're arriving, they're ready).
Their = possession (their keys, their idea, their decision).

Spacing, punctuation, and hyphenation

Use a single apostrophe in the contraction: they're. Don't add an apostrophe to their. Avoid odd spacing or extra characters like they ' re or their' - those are typos, not grammar choices.

Correct contraction: they're (no spaces, one apostrophe).
Correct possessive: their (no apostrophe).
Never hyphenate the contraction (they-are) or write their'.

Grammar details: singular they and contraction formation

Singular they follows the same rules: if you mean "they are" for one person, use they're; if you mean possession for someone referred to as they, use their. They're contains an apostrophe because it replaces missing letters (they + are → they're); their never uses an apostrophe.

Singular they: They're the one responsible → They are the one responsible.
Possessive: Their choice was obvious → shows ownership.

Memory tricks and two-second tests

Two quick checks you can do in seconds:

Replacement test: Try "they are" in place of the word. If it fits, use they're.
Ownership test: If the next word is a noun that belongs to someone, use their.

Example: "___ still reviewing the file" → "They are still reviewing the file" → they're.
Example: "___ report was late" → ownership → their report was late.

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence, not just the phrase; context usually reveals the intended meaning.

Examples: paired wrong/right sentences (work, school, casual)

Common mistaken lines with corrected versions. Use the corrected phrasing as a template.

Work - Wrong: They're presentation is at 10 a.m.; can you set up the room?
Work - Right: Their presentation is at 10 a.m.; can you set up the room?
Work - Wrong: They're client expects the report by noon.
Work - Right: Their client expects the report by noon.
Work - Wrong: Please confirm if they're invoice has been paid.
Work - Right: Please confirm if their invoice has been paid.
School - Wrong: They're homework is due Friday-don't forget it.
School - Right: Their homework is due Friday - don't forget it.
School - Wrong: They're professor extended the deadline.
School - Right: Their professor extended the deadline.
School - Wrong: Do you know if they're lab results are ready?
School - Right: Do you know if their lab results are ready?
Casual - Wrong: I love they're new puppy!
Casual - Right: I love their new puppy!
Casual - Wrong: They're pizza is in the oven-help me take it out.
Casual - Right: Their pizza is in the oven-help me take it out.
Casual - Wrong: Are they're coming to the party tonight?
Casual - Right: Are they coming to the party tonight? (use they're only if you mean "they are")

Rewrite help: templates to fix tone and clarity (work, school, casual)

If swapping the word leaves the sentence clunky, try one of these concise rewrites.

Work (professional): Original wrong: "They're schedule doesn't allow for changes." →
Rewrite: "Their schedule doesn't allow changes; please suggest an alternate time."
School (precise): Original wrong: "They're draft needs citations." →
Rewrite: "Their draft needs additional citations in the methodology section."
Casual (natural): Original wrong: "They're coming over later." → If you mean "they are": "They're coming over later." If you mean possession: "Their car's in the driveway."
Neutral rewrite: Original wrong: "They're report will be late." → "Their report will arrive late; we'll share an updated timeline."

Fix your sentence: a short self-edit checklist

Run these quick steps whenever you see their/they're/there in your text.

Step 1: Replace with "they are." If it makes sense, use they're.
Step 2: If the following word names something owned or associated, use their.
Step 3: Read the whole sentence aloud. If it still feels wrong, rewrite using a template above or break it into two sentences.

Example: "___ still deciding" → "They are still deciding" → they're.
Example: "___ decision was final" → ownership → their decision was final.

Similar mistakes to watch for

They're/their often gets mixed with there, which points to a place or introduces existence. Also watch its vs. it's - the same possessive vs contraction problem.

there = place or existential (There is a problem).
their = possession (their plan).
they're = they are (they're happy).
its vs it's: its = possessive; it's = it is.

Wrong: There going to miss their flight.
Right: They're going to miss their flight.
Wrong: Its going to rain-do they have their umbrella?
Right: It's going to rain-do they have their umbrella?

FAQ

Is it their or they're?

Use they're for "they are." Use their to show possession. Quick test: replace the word with "they are" - if the sentence still makes sense, use they're; otherwise use their.

Can I use they're in formal writing?

Contractions are fine in many professional contexts, but some formal styles prefer "they are." When in doubt, write it out or follow your style guide.

How do I remember the difference quickly?

Use the two checks: replacement test ("they are") and ownership test (is the next word a noun that belongs to someone?). They work faster than memorizing rules.

What if my sentence could mean either?

When a sentence is ambiguous, rewrite to remove confusion. Example: instead of "They're phone rang," write "Their phone rang" (possessive) or "They are on the phone" (action).

Will grammar tools catch these errors?

Most checkers catch straightforward swaps, but context matters. Use the quick tests first, then a grammar tool to catch punctuation or spacing slips.

Make this a quick habit

Before you send or submit anything, scan for they're/their/there and run the replacement and ownership tests. Keep a few rewrite templates handy for clearer, faster fixes.

If you're unsure, double-check with a grammar tool - but the two tests will resolve most mistakes immediately.