Is It There Is Or Their Is: Complete Guide

There Is, There Are, or Their? The Grammar Guide That Finally Clears Up the Confusion

Ever seen a sign that says "There going to the store" and cringed? Worth adding: or maybe you've second-guessed yourself while writing an email, wondering if it should be "there" or "their"? You're not alone. On the flip side, this little grammar puzzle trips up even confident writers. It's one of those English quirks that seems simple until you actually try to explain it to someone else.

Here's the thing — mixing up "there," "their," and "they're" is one of the most common grammar mistakes out there. But it's also one of the easiest to fix once you understand the difference. So let's dive in and clear this up once and for all.

What Is "There Is" vs. "Their"

First things first: "there is" and "their" serve completely different purposes in English. They're not interchangeable, and mixing them up can make your writing look careless or unprofessional.

"There Is" and "There Are"

"There is" and "there are" are phrases used to indicate existence or presence. They're essentially saying something exists in a particular place or time.

"There is" (often contracted as "there's") is used with singular nouns. In practice, for example:

• "There is a dog in the yard. "
• "There's no need to worry.

"There are" is used with plural nouns:

• "There are three dogs in the yard."
• "There are many reasons to learn proper grammar."

The word "there" in these phrases is what's called an "expletive" — it doesn't refer to anything specific but serves a grammatical function to introduce the subject that follows.

"Their" - The Possessive Pronoun

"Their" is a possessive pronoun that shows ownership or belonging. It indicates that something belongs to "them" (a third-person plural pronoun).

For example:

• "Their car is parked in the driveway."
• "The students submitted their assignments."
• "They're going to their grandmother's house.

Notice how "their" always indicates possession — something belongs to someone else. It's similar to "my," "your," and "his" in that it shows who something belongs to.

Why It Matters

You might be thinking, "Does this really matter? People will understand what I mean anyway." And while that's often true, proper grammar matters more than you might realize.

First impressions matter. Whether you're writing a job application, an important email, or even a social media post, your writing reflects on you. Now, consistently mixing up "there" and "their" can make you appear less educated or careless. In professional settings, this can impact how others perceive your competence and attention to detail.

Clarity is another important factor. Plus, while context often helps readers figure out what you meant, why make them work harder than necessary? Using the correct word eliminates ambiguity and makes your communication more effective.

Think about it this way: if you're applying for a job and submit a cover letter with "their" instead of "there," the hiring manager might question your attention to detail. If you're running a business and make this mistake on your website, potential customers might wonder about the quality of your products or services.

How to Use "There Is/Are" Correctly

Using "there is" and "there are" correctly is actually pretty straightforward once you understand the basic rule.

Singular vs. Plural

The key is matching the verb with the subject that follows "there" or "there's."

Use "there is" (or "there's") for singular subjects:

• "There is a meeting at 3 PM."
• "There's only one spot left in the parking lot."
• "There is a reason for everything.

Use "there are" for plural subjects:

• "There are three meetings today.On the flip side, "
• "There are many spots left in the parking lot. "
• "There are reasons for everything.

Common Patterns

There are a few common patterns where you'll see "there is/are" used:

1. Introducing new information: "There's a new restaurant downtown that just opened."
2. Stating existence: "There are solutions to this problem."
3. Expressing quantity: "There isn't enough time to finish everything."
4. Making announcements: "There will be a delay in our departure."

Negative Forms

To make "there is" or "there are" negative, simply add "not" (or the contraction "n't") after the verb:

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• "There is not a problem." (or "There isn't a problem.")
• "There are not enough chairs." (or "There aren't enough chairs.")

How to Use "Their" Correctly

Using "their" correctly is all about remembering that it shows possession or belonging.

Possessive Use

"Their" indicates that something belongs to "them" (third-person plural). It's the possessive form of "they."

• "The children left their toys in the living room."
• "Everyone should bring their own lunch."
• "The team celebrated their victory."

Common Mistakes with "Their"

One common mistake is using "their" when you should use "there's" or "there are." For example:

Incorrect: "Their a lot of people at the party." Correct: "There's a lot of people at the party."

Another mistake is using "their" when you should use "they're" (the contraction of "they are"):

Incorrect: "Their going to the store." Correct: "They're going to the store."

"Their" vs. "His" or "Her"

When referring to a singular person whose gender you know, use "his" or "her" instead of "their":

• "John brought his laptop to the meeting."
• "Maria shared her thoughts on the proposal."

That said, when referring to a singular person whose gender you don't know or when using gender-neutral language, "their" is appropriate:

• "Someone left their umbrella behind."
• "The student forgot their notebook."

Common Mistakes

Even people who generally have good grammar often mix up "there," "their," and "they're." Here are the most common mistakes to watch out for.

Using "Their" Instead of "There Is/Are"

This is probably the most common mistake. People often use "their" when they mean "there is" or "there are."

Incorrect: "Their a lot of reasons to learn proper grammar." Correct: "There are a lot of reasons to learn proper grammar."

Using "There" Instead of "Their"

Sometimes people use "there" when they mean to indicate possession.

Incorrect: "I borrowed there book yesterday." Correct: "I borrowed their book yesterday."

Confusing "Their" with "They're"

"They're" is a contraction of "they are." It's used when you're talking about what someone is doing.

Incorrect: "Their going to the concert tonight." Correct: "They're going to the concert tonight."

Using "There's" with Plural Subjects

Continuing the article on these commonly confused words:

Using "There's" with Plural Subjects

While "there's" (a contraction of "there is") is grammatically correct when introducing a singular noun, it is often used informally with plural nouns. Even so, the grammatically correct form is "there are" for plural subjects. Using "there's" with plural subjects is common in casual speech but considered incorrect in formal writing.

Incorrect (Informal): "There's five people waiting outside." Correct (Formal): "There are five people waiting outside."

This distinction highlights the importance of matching the verb form to the subject number, even when the contraction "there's" is used.

Conclusion

Mastering the distinctions between "there," "their," and "they're" is fundamental to clear and correct English communication. Think about it: "There" serves as an introductory word for existence or location, "their" denotes possession belonging to a group of people, and "they're" is the contraction for "they are," indicating action or state. Avoiding the frequent errors of mixing these words – such as using "their" for existence ("their" instead of "there is/are) or "there" for possession ("their" instead of "there's) – is crucial for writing that is both grammatically sound and easily understood. Paying close attention to the specific function each word serves ensures your writing conveys your intended meaning precisely.