This is not a screed against weak spellers, as such; I'm only wondering about these three words, and in how many people see a distinction.
Thanks for your answer!
2006-12-30 12:21:38 · 40 answers · asked by silvercomet 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
First means belonging to "That is theirs"
Second one means a place "Over there" "There they are"
Third one means that 2 or more people are doing something as in "They're leaving now"
2006-12-30 12:24:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Give us a break. Some people use the wrong word without thinking when they're typing. There is no reason to present such an elementary "quiz" before the public. We're not all ignorant and so what if someone uses the wrong word? How many people know the difference? Probably most people do if they think about. Their misuse of the word doesn't mean they don't know any better.
2006-12-30 12:30:08 · answer #2 · answered by neptune 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Their, there and they're are homonyms, which sound the same but are spelled differently (pair, pear, wait, weight, etc) and have different meanings. It is usually because of those words that you are allowed to ask for definitions of words in spelling bees, however, that also gives clues to the spelling. In this case-
Their, meaning of them or belonging to them. (their car)
There, meaning a place (over there)
They're, a contraction for they are (they're going to the movies)
You are able to tell which spelling is used because the sentence implies it, like in my examples. I do see a distinction, as any English speaker, learned or native, should. It makes a difference, reading "I want to go over there in their car" compared to "I want to go over they're in there car." and the first makes more sense than the latter. The first states that you want to go to a place in the car belonging to them, the latter meaning that you want to go to they are in overe there car. Even the weakest of spellers ought to know about homonyms, and should be able to tell the difference according to the implied meaning of the sentence.
I hope this helps!
2006-12-30 12:31:22 · answer #3 · answered by *luz* 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How about to, too and two. Or the difference between anxious and eager. I often wonder where some of these people got their education. I like to blame the casual use of email and the Internet for the lack of proper English. Does anyone use spell check?
2006-12-30 12:28:47 · answer #4 · answered by JayJay 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I struggled with those all through school. Who ever thought it was a good idea to give different spellings and meanings to words that are pronounced the same should be shot. All they did was make it hard for the rest of us. I still have problems with to and too...
2006-12-30 12:25:29 · answer #5 · answered by jelly 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course I see a distinction. I raise my hand because:
Their is a personal pronoun describing something owned by someone. "Their toys are placed neatly on the shelf."
There is a place at which something is. "There are the toys that the kids placed neatly on the shelf."
They're is a contraction -they + are- stating what people are doing. "They're going to the store after work."
2006-12-30 12:24:58 · answer #6 · answered by Susan M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Their" is a plural possessive: "It is their house." "There" is a preposition. "The book is over there", showing direction. "They're" is a contraction for "they are". "They're going to the party." Since these three words all sound alike, their definitions are quite different, and it's easy to see that sometimes people get confused.
Now, can I put my hand down?
2006-12-30 12:30:01 · answer #7 · answered by gldjns 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Of course they're is a distinction. *HAND UP*
They're, is short for, they are. As in "They're going to the store."
There is when you are talking about directions. As in "The store is over there."
And Their is for everything else. As in "Their are too many people in the store." (he he actually I'm sure there is a better rule for their, but the truth is I only remember to use it when I know that the other two, they're and there, don't fit the situation.lol)
2006-12-30 12:32:31 · answer #8 · answered by LaDyLuCk 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Their -> Possessive. For example: Their house. Their problems.
There -> Location. It's over there. There are a lot of questions.
They're -> They are. They're stupid.
Yes, very differerent =] .
2006-12-30 12:25:21 · answer #9 · answered by belibong99 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Even though there three different words, not all people know they're grammar as well as the man over their.
2006-12-30 12:24:10 · answer #10 · answered by S K 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋