EXPLANATION They're is actually a contraction - it is they are without the letter a, which has been replaced by an apostrophe. We really should not pronounce this contraction to sound like their or there but with a greater emphasis on they (so that they're rhymes with layer).
Say to yourself these two words and their contraction: they would and they’d. Notice how the word they still sounds like they. Now practice saying they are and they’re, keeping the they sound in they’re. If you do this, you will be less likely to confuse the spelling.
The word their is a possessive pronoun; it shows possession of the noun that follows, as in these examples.
- They put on their coats.
- Their parents are on holidays.
It may help you to remember that their refers to people possessing things if you think of the fact that people have heirs, and heir is part of their.
The word there is an adverb indicating a place, time or existence as in the examples below. It might help to remember when to use there if you think of the phrase here and there. Those words have a similar spelling and function.
- Let's go there sometime.
- 'There is the fracture,' said the doctor, pointing to the X-ray.
- She paused there and waited for a reaction.