Their vs. There — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on August 19, 2023
"Their" is a possessive pronoun indicating ownership, while "there" refers to a place or introduces a statement.
Difference Between Their and There
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
"Their" and "there" are common English words that are often misused. Their is a possessive pronoun, used to indicate ownership or association to a group. On the other hand, there can serve multiple roles, including a pronoun introducing a sentence, an adverb, or a noun referring to a place.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 19, 2023
To deepen the understanding of their, consider sentences like "Their opinions matter" or "It's their right to vote." In each case, their specifies to whom the opinions or right belong. Conversely, there provides context. When one remarks, "There's a chance of rain today," or "There are twenty students in the class," there is not about ownership but rather sets up or introduces the context.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 19, 2023
When considering the word their, think of possession. It’s a word that ties an object or idea to a group or individual. Their shows that something belongs to them. Meanwhile, there is versatile. It often refers to a place, either specific or vague.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 19, 2023
The distinction between their and there is fundamental in English grammar. Their always relates to ownership or association. There, in contrast, primarily denotes place or introduces a subject. Grasping this difference ensures more accurate and effective communication.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 19, 2023
Comparison Chart
ADVERTISEMENT
Usage
Used with nouns to show possession
Used to specify a location or introduce statements
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 19, 2023
Definitions
Their
Used to describe something owned by a group.
Their cake looks delicious.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 19, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
There
In, at, or to that place or position.
We went to Paris and stayed there a week.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 19, 2023
Their
Used as a modifier before a noun
The politicians boasted of their accomplishments. “It is fatal for anyone who writes to think of their sex” (Virginia Woolf). See Usage Notes at he1, they.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 06, 2023
There
Indicates the existence of something.
There's a problem with your order.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 19, 2023
Their
Refers to something that belongs to an unspecified person.
Someone forgot their umbrella.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 19, 2023
There
At a point in an action, process, or story.
He's been working there for two years.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 19, 2023
Their
Indicates a connection to a certain group.
That's their signature move.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 19, 2023
There
Used to introduce a sentence or clause.
There is a reason for everything.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 19, 2023
Their
Relating to or associated with people in general.
It's only natural to want to share their own experiences.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 19, 2023
Their
Belonging to, from, of, or relating to, them (plural).
They will meet tomorrow at their convenience
This is probably their cat
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 06, 2023
There
Used to express feelings such as relief, satisfaction, sympathy, or anger
There, now I can have some peace!.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 06, 2023
There
Used as an expletive subject of be in its sense of “exist”, with the semantic, usually indefinite subject being postponed or (occasionally) implied.
There are two apples on the table. [=Two apples are on the table.]
There is no way to do it. [=No way to do it exists.]
Is there an answer? [=Does an answer exist?]
No, there isn't. [=No, one doesn't exist.]
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 06, 2023
Their
The possessive case of the personal pronoun they; as, their houses; their country.
Nothing but the name of zeal appears'Twixt our best actions and the worst of theirs.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 06, 2023
There
At that stage, moment, or point
Stop there before you make any more mistakes.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 06, 2023
There
(location) In a place or location (stated, implied or otherwise indicated) at some distance from the speaker (compare here).
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 06, 2023
There
Used with other intransitive verbs of existence, in the same sense, or with other intransitive verbs, adding a sense of existence.
If x is a positive number, then there exists [=there is] a positive number y less than x.
There remain several problems with this approach. [=Several problems remain with this approach.]
Once upon a time, in a now-forgotten kingdom, there lived a woodsman with his wife. [=There was a woodsman, who lived with his wife.]
There arose a great wind out of the east. [=There was now a great wind, arising in the east.]
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 06, 2023
There
Used with other verbs, when raised.
There seems to be some difficulty with the papers. [=It seems that there is some difficulty with the papers.]
I expected there to be a simpler solution. [=I expected that there would be a simpler solution.]
There are beginning to be complications. [=It's beginning to be the case that there are complications.]
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 06, 2023
There
To or into that place; thither.
The rarest that e'er came there.
A knight there was, and that a worthy man.
There is a path which no fowl knoweth.
Wherever there is a sense or perception, there some idea is actually produced.
There have been that have delivered themselves from their ills by their good fortune or virtue.
Spend their good there it is reasonable.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 06, 2023
There
In or at that place;
They have lived there for years
It's not there
That man [who is] there
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 06, 2023
There
In a readily accessible or discoverable state
The answer is out there. All we have to do is look for it.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 06, 2023
There
Used especially for emphasis after the demonstrative pronoun that or those, or after a noun modified by the demonstrative adjective that or those
That person there ought to know the directions to town.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 06, 2023
There
(Nonstandard) Used for emphasis between a demonstrative adjective meaning "that" or "those" and a noun
"You see them there handles?" (Cormac McCarthy)."I tell you ... that you buried paving-stones and earth in that there coffin" (Charles Dickens).
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 06, 2023
There
(figuratively) In that matter, relation, etc.; at that point, stage, etc., regarded as a distinct place.
He did not stop there, but continued his speech.
They patched up their differences, but matters did not end there.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 06, 2023
There
In this world, used to say that someone or something exists; see pronoun section below.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 06, 2023
There
Used to offer encouragement or sympathy.
There, there. Everything is going to turn out all right.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 06, 2023
There
That status; that position.
You rinse and de-string the green beans; I'll take it from there.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 06, 2023
There
(colloquial) Appended to words of greeting etc.
Hi there, young fellow.
Oh, hello there, Bob, how are you doing?
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 06, 2023
There
In or at that place.
The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 06, 2023
There
In that matter, relation, etc.; at that point, stage, etc., regarded as a distinct place; as, he did not stop there, but continued his speech.
The law that theaten'd death becomes thy friendAnd turns it to exile; there art thou happy.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 06, 2023
FAQs
Can "there" start a sentence?
Yes, "there" often introduces sentences, such as "There is a cat" or "There are many options."
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 19, 2023
What is "their" mainly used for?
"Their" is primarily a possessive pronoun indicating ownership or association to a group.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 19, 2023
How do you avoid confusing "their" and "there"?
Remember that "their" indicates ownership, while "there" often refers to a location or introduces a statement.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 19, 2023
Does "there" always refer to a physical place?
No, "there" can also introduce sentences or indicate the existence of something, not just denote a location.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 19, 2023
Is it correct to say "There's people"?
While commonly used in casual speech, it's grammatically correct to say "There are people."
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 19, 2023
Is "their" singular or plural?
"Their" is plural, but it's also accepted in singular form when referring to an unspecified gender, as in "Someone left their hat."
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 19, 2023
How is "there" used in a sentence?
"There" can refer to a place, introduce a statement, or indicate existence, as in "The book is there" or "There are three apples."
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 19, 2023
What's a quick tip to remember the difference between "their" and "there"?
Think of "here" in "there" for locations, and "heir" in "their" for possession.
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 19, 2023
Can both "their" and "there" appear in one sentence?
Yes, for example: "Their bags are over there."
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 19, 2023
Can "their" refer to businesses or entities?
Yes, "their" can refer to entities, like "The company unveiled their new product."
Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 19, 2023
Author Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
