There Their They're???

***Deep Breath*** check.
Count to ten... check.
Exhale and relax.... check!

OK, as the title, and my signature suggests, this thread is all about the use, and mis-use of the words/terms "there" "their" and "they're".

EVERY SINGLE THREAD that I have viewed, in the last few weeks, has had at least one, but usually many more, mis-uses of one or more of the above words.

Why??
The correct meaning of each one is very simple, it is very easy to learn, and the last time I checked, it is taught at schools in every developed country in the world.

Some posters on ATS/BTS seem to think that the 3 words/terms are completely interchangeable?
or that maybe they only have to learn one of the three, since they all "sound" the same?

Well, they are NOT the same, they are NOT interchangeable, and they do have very different meanings!



So... for the un-initiated, (or hard of thinking), I shall explain, in very simplified terms, what each of them means, and how they can be used in a sentence.

Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin...

"There" means at, to, or in that place (e.g. Sit over there. or We're heading there.)
"Their" means belonging to, or associated with them. (e.g. That's their car.)
"They're" is simply an abbreviation of "They are" (e.g. They're here.)

A sample sentence showing all three could be:
"They're sitting in their car, over there."
(They are sitting in the car belonging to them, at that place)

As a rather annoying Meercat on UK TV Ads would say.... "Simples!"

Rant Over.
Thanks for reading this far!

A lot of people on ats don't speak English as a first language. And multiple words like they're their and there can be confusing.

reply to post by nixie_nox


Very true, and well said.

But, I'm not talking about those ATSers! (without English as 1st language)

I am talking about ATSers who construct sentences using the English language perfectly adequately, apart from this one niggling issue!

Thanks for the reply!
G

Originally posted by Gordi The Drummer

Well, they are NOT the same, they are NOT interchangeable, and they do have very different meanings!

I feel you brother ... their their!

[edit on 27 Nov 2009 by schrodingers dog]

Grammar Nazi..........:shk:

It really does bother me when people make mistakes in language, but I do it also.
Yes, I have a spell checker and try to present my prose without errors.

Even with the best of tools and a good education I can still screw it up.

Dam English...... :bnghd:

guilty *raises hand*

I admit I use 'their' for both their and they're when I type fast, no english isn't my first language, not even my second but we do learn that much in high school English class so even Europeans should know the difference. I never considered this would bother the English speaking people.
I also leave the ' out of "isnt, wouldnt, shoudnt" sometimes, guess that's frustrating to read as well.

so I guess it's the same rule for your and you're?

can we make sure people know the difference between to, too, and two. Also between it's and its.

to - go with, travel, transform. with

too - means also

two - 2, it's a number



now the it's

it's - conjunction of it is

its - is the possessive pronoun.

[edit on 11/27/2009 by bigvig316]

reply to post by GypsK


Hi GypsK!
I'll forgive ya!! (especially since English is not your 1st language... actually you type it much better than I do!!! But I have an excuse too.... I'm Scottish!!!)

and yes... your you're is bad too! (But only 2/3 as bad!!!)

G

reply to post by schrodingers dog


Their Their!!!!!!! That's just awesome!!!

Thanks dog!

Originally posted by bigvig316
can we make sure people know the difference between to, too, and two. Also between it's and its.

to - go with, travel, transform. with

too - means also

two - 2, it's a number



now the it's

it's - conjunction of it is

its - is the possessive pronoun.

[edit on 11/27/2009 by bigvig316]

Yes! its' been going on two long for it's own good! And I to get annoyed by it's misuse! Too times now, its happened! :bnghd:

sorry couldn't resist!!
G

This thread has been done soooo many times.

But i have a gripe so I'll add it being the hypocrite.


People that say Then instead of Than.


Like "I don't like pop music other then REM"


"I got a $5 raise... it was more then i was expecting"


"I like Obama more then Bush"



Grrrrrrrr:bash::bnghd:

I screw these up ALL the time!

I do try, I honestly do, but I still manage to screw up.

As long as you get my meaning, I figure it's alright.

reply to post by Gordi The Drummer


I spell check nothing, I rarely add ' to isnt etc.

I am too lazy.

Sorry if it offends.
Peace, Piece, Piss.

I agree!! This drives me nuts!!! I learned this in elementary school and I cant for the life of me figure out why people can't get it right....it's very simple!!!

Originally posted by Gordi The Drummer
***Deep Breath*** check.
Count to ten... check.
Exhale and relax.... check!

OK, as the title, and my signature suggests, this thread is all about the use, and mis-use of the words/terms "there" "their" and "they're".

EVERY SINGLE THREAD that I have viewed, in the last few weeks, has had at least one, but usually many more, mis-uses of one or more of the above words.

Why??
The correct meaning of each one is very simple, it is very easy to learn, and the last time I checked, it is taught at schools in every developed country in the world.

Some posters on ATS/BTS seem to think that the 3 words/terms are completely interchangeable?
or that maybe they only have to learn one of the three, since they all "sound" the same?

Well, they are NOT the same, they are NOT interchangeable, and they do have very different meanings!

So... for the un-initiated, (or hard of thinking), I shall explain, in very simplified terms, what each of them means, and how they can be used in a sentence.

Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin...

"There" means at, to, or in that place (e.g. Sit over there. or We're heading there.)
"Their" means belonging to, or associated with them. (e.g. That's their car.)
"They're" is simply an abbreviation of "They are" (e.g. They're here.)

A sample sentence showing all three could be:
"They're sitting in their car, over there."
(They are sitting in the car belonging to them, at that place)

As a rather annoying Meercat on UK TV Ads would say.... "Simples!"

Rant Over.
Thanks for reading this far!

They're are way too many comma's in their ,so, there are hard to reed it's
...and watts with awl the hyphens !!!!!
:bash:

reply to post by The Utopian Penguin


"They're are way too many comma's in their ,so, there are hard to reed it's
...and watts with awl the hyphens !!!!! "

Hmmm.
It's called grammar, and no, I don't mean your grandmother!

Hang on, bear with me and I'll try to explain:
When you come to a comma, pause, and then continue.
That will help you to punctuate the the intended phrasing of the sentence correctly. Thereby hopefully avoiding any mis-understandings. (Obviously I failed there!!!)

As for the hyphens....?
Well, I think I used 3? (One for mis-use, for for mis-uses, and one for un-initiated.) Is that too many?? Or did I mis-use them??

Actually, I think I feel better now... having got this out in the open!
My name is Gordi! and I hate the mis-use of There, Their, They're!!!

Their sitting in there car, over They're.

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/ce8709e7d311.jpg[/atsimg]

There are a lot of words that sound alike, but if one wants to point them out; they should know that they're is a contraction not an abbreviation. Sorry, couldn't help myself. The words that bother me the most are lose and loose.

reply to post by catamaran



Arrghh!! OK, I fess up! Guilty as charged!!! Take me away!!!!
Well spotted cat.... but if I'd used contraction...
a)How many people would have known what I was on about?
and
b)How many birth jokes would I have had to endure??? :bnghd:

Well, just glad you didn't take offense.
I forget that english is not the first language of some people on this site. I find my spelling has gotten really bad since using the internet alot. Now, I often second guess myself.