Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Master these three words by checking if you mean a place, a person's property, or a shortened 'they are'.
- Use 'There' for a place or to start a sentence, like 'There is my house'.
- Use 'Their' for possession, like 'That is their car'.
- Use 'They're' only as a shortcut for 'They are', like 'They're coming over'.
Overview
their、there、そして they're の3つは、中級レベル（B1）になっても多くの学習者を悩ませる「最難関のトリオ」と言えます。their | 所有限定詞 | 所有や所属を示す | 「彼らの〜」「彼女らの〜」 | They lost their keys. |there | 副詞 / 代名詞 | 場所を示す、または存在を導入する | 「そこに」「〜がある」 | There is a park there. |they're | 短縮形 | they are の短縮 | 「彼らは〜です」 | They're very kind. |their: 所有限定詞（Possessive Determiner）their の唯一の役割は、ある名詞が「誰のものか」を示すことです。日本語の「〜の（所有）」に相当します。文法的な最大の特徴は、「their の後ろには必ず名詞（または名詞句）が来る」 という点です。- 日本語との比較: 日本語では「彼らの（持ち物）」と言わなくても文脈で通じることが多いですが、英語では誰の所有物かを明示することが非常に好まれます。
- 構造:
their+ 名詞 - 例文:
The students opened their textbooks.（学生たちは自分たちの教科書を開いた）
their」 です。性別を特定したくない場合や、性別が不明な一人を指すときにも their が使われます。これは B1 レベルでは必須の知識です。- 例文:
Someone left their umbrella.（誰かが傘を忘れていった。※その誰かが男性か女性か不明なのでtheirを使う）
there: 場所の副詞と存在の代名詞there は少し複雑で、2つの顔を持っています。here（ここに）の対義語として覚えると分かりやすいでしょう。- 例文:
Please wait there.（そこで待っていてください）
there 自体に「あそこに」という意味はありません。日本語の「（公園に）木があります」という構造に近いですが、英語では There を文頭に置くルールがあります。- 例文:
There are many challenges.（多くの課題があります）
they're: they are の短縮形（Contraction）they（彼らは／それらは）と、be動詞の are が合体したものです。アポストロフィ（'）は、are の a が省略されている印です。- 日本語との比較: 「彼らは〜だ」という「主語＋述語」のセットです。
theirやthereとは違い、これ単体で「誰がどうであるか」という文の核を構成します。 - 置き換えテスト: 迷ったら、その部分を
they areと言い換えてみてください。意味が通じればthey'reが正解です。 - 例文:
They're going to the party.（彼らはパーティーに行く予定だ）
there(場所):
here（ここ）という単語が隠れています。here も there も「場所」を表す言葉ですよね。「here が入っているから場所！」 と覚えましょう。their(所有):
heir（相続人）という単語が隠れています。相続人とは、財産を「所有」する人のことです。また、真ん中の i を「人」に見立てて、「人が何かを持っている（所有している）」 というイメージを持つのも効果的です。they're(短縮形):
they're の場合は 「a が消えた跡」 です。we're や you're と同じ仲間だと認識しましょう。there | t + here | 場所・存在 | 「ここ(here)」じゃない「あそこ(there)」 |their | the + i + r | 所有＋名詞 | 「私(i)」たちのもの、彼らのもの |they're | they + ' + re | 主語＋動詞 | they are の短縮形 |- 「彼らは今、会議室にいます」と言いたい時：
They're in the meeting room right now.They are の短縮形なので、主語と動詞が必要です）- 「彼らのプレゼン資料はあそこにあります」と言いたい時：
Their presentation slides are over there.their と、「あそこに」という場所の there を両方使います）- 「その会社には素晴らしい研修制度があります」：
There is a great training system at that company.There is 構文を使います）- 「彼らは従業員の幸福を大切にしています」：
They're committed to their employees' well-being.They're と、「彼らの（従業員）」という their を使います）- 「彼ら、楽しそうだね！景色も最高！」：
They're having fun! The view there looks amazing.They're と、その場所の景色を指す there）their を使ってしまう- 間違い:
I want to go to their. - 正解:
I want to go there. - 理由: 日本語で「そこに行きたい」と言う時、「そこ」は場所を指します。
theirは必ず後ろに名詞が必要な「限定詞」なので、単独で場所を指すことはできません。
There are の後の名詞と動詞の不一致- 間違い:
There is many people in the office. - 正解:
There are many people in the office. - 理由: 日本語では「人がいる」で済みますが、英語の
There構文では、後ろに来る名詞（真の主語）が単数か複数かによって、isかareかを厳密に使い分ける必要があります。many peopleは複数なのでareを使います。
their と短縮形の they're の混同- 間違い:
They're house is very big. - 正解:
Their house is very big. - 理由: 「彼らは家です」という意味になってしまいます。名詞
houseの前にあるのは「所有」を表す言葉でなければなりません。迷ったら「置き換えテスト」をしましょう。They are houseは意味が通りませんよね？
Their vs. Theirs (所有限定詞 vs. 所有代名詞)their は後ろに名詞が必要ですが、theirs は「彼らのもの」という名詞の役割を単独で果たします。It is their car.(後ろにcarがある)The car is theirs.(単独で「彼らのもの」)
There vs. It (存在の導入)There と It を混同することがあります。There is a cat under the table.(新しい情報を提示：テーブルの下に猫がいる)It is a cat.(正体を確認：それは猫だ)
his | their | I like his/their style. |his | theirs | The choice is his/theirs. |he's | they're | He's/They're ready. |Their を使うことはありますか？Their decision was final.（彼らの決定は最終的なものだった）。一方、存在を示す場合は There を文頭に使います。例：There was no other choice.（他に選択肢はなかった）。they/their はテストで使っても減点されませんか？their は完全に受け入れられています。むしろ、he or she と書くよりも自然で好まれる傾向にあります。ただし、非常に保守的な文法テストでは稀に指摘されることもあるため、文脈を読みましょう。They're をフォーマルなレポートで使ってもいいですか？they're ではなく they are と分けて書くのが無難です。日常的なメールや同僚とのやり取りでは they're で全く問題ありません。There's という形をよく見ますが、これは何ですか？There is または There has の短縮形です。口語では、後ろに複数形が来る場合でも There's many people... と言ってしまうネイティブも多いですが、試験や正しい書き言葉としては There are many people... とするのが正解です。Grammatical Roles of the Triple T
| Word | Part of Speech | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
There
|
Adverb / Pronoun
|
Points to a location or introduces a subject
|
There is the bus.
|
|
Their
|
Possessive Adjective
|
Shows ownership by a group or person
|
It is their turn.
|
|
They're
|
Contraction
|
Short for 'They are'
|
They're very busy.
|
Contractions and Full Forms
| Contraction | Full Form | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
|
They're
|
They are
|
Common in speech and informal writing.
|
|
They're not
|
They are not
|
Standard negative contraction.
|
|
They aren't
|
They are not
|
Alternative negative contraction.
|
Meanings
These three words are homophones, meaning they sound identical but have completely different meanings and spellings based on whether you are referring to a location, ownership, or a state of being.
There (Location)
An adverb used to point out a specific place or position.
“Please put the box over there on the table.”
“I have never been there before.”
Their (Possession)
A possessive adjective used to show that something belongs to a group of people (or sometimes a single person).
“Their house is the largest one on the block.”
“The students forgot their homework.”
They're (Contraction)
A shortened form of the pronoun 'they' and the verb 'are'.
“They're going to the beach tomorrow.”
“I think they're very talented musicians.”
There (Expletive/Introductory)
Used to introduce a sentence or clause where the subject comes after the verb.
“There are many reasons to learn English.”
“There seems to be a mistake in the bill.”
Reference Table
| 単語 | 品詞 | 主な意味 | 例文 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
`Their`
|
所有形容詞
|
「彼らの」という所有を表す
|
The artists showed `their` paintings.
|
|
`There`
|
副詞
|
「あそこに」という場所を表す
|
Please put the box over `there`.
|
|
`There`
|
代名詞
|
「〜がある」と存在を示す
|
`There` is a bird on the windowsill.
|
|
`They're`
|
短縮形
|
They are の略
|
`They're` building a new website.
|
|
単数形の `their`
|
所有形容詞
|
特定の誰か（1人）の所有
|
My colleague forgot `their` password.
|
フォーマル度スペクトル
The keys are located there, on the sideboard. (Daily life)
The keys are over there. (Daily life)
Keys are there. (Daily life)
Yo, keys are right there. (Daily life)
Their, There, They're の使い分けマップ
所有（〜の）
- Their Shows ownership
場所・存在
- There Points to a place
短縮形
- They're Means 'they are'
クイックチェック比較表
どれを使うか迷ったら？
'they are' に置き換えられる？
所有や持ち物を表している？
カテゴリー別例文集
所有
- • I like `their` style.
- • Where is `their` house?
場所
- • We'll be `there` soon.
- • Look over `there`!
短縮形
- • `They're` on a team.
- • `They're` so funny.
レベル別の例文
Look over there!
Look at that place!
That is their dog.
The dog belongs to them.
They're very happy.
They are very happy.
There is a car.
A car exists in that spot.
Is there any milk in the fridge?
Does milk exist in the fridge?
The children lost their toys.
The toys belonging to the children are lost.
They're going to the park now.
They are going to the park now.
Put your shoes there.
Put your shoes in that place.
There are several options for the project.
Several options exist for the project.
The employees expressed their concerns to the boss.
The concerns belonging to the employees were shared.
They're likely to win the championship this year.
They are likely to win.
I've lived there for ten years.
I have lived in that place for a decade.
There appears to be a misunderstanding regarding the contract.
A misunderstanding seems to exist.
The researchers published their findings in a prestigious journal.
The findings of the researchers were published.
They're constantly innovating to stay ahead of the competition.
They are constantly innovating.
Go there and see for yourself.
Travel to that location to verify.
There remains a significant gap between the two theories.
A gap still exists.
The committee members voiced their unanimous support for the proposal.
The support of the committee was unanimous.
They're essentially arguing that the economy is self-correcting.
They are essentially arguing.
The treasure was hidden there, beneath the ancient oak.
The treasure was in that specific spot.
Therein lies the fundamental paradox of modern existence.
In that place/fact lies the paradox.
The protagonists were forced to confront their own mortality.
They confronted the fact that they will die.
They're arguably the most influential poets of the Victorian era.
It is argued that they are the most influential.
Should you go there, you will find the ruins of the old city.
If you travel to that place.
間違えやすい
Both involve a possessive adjective and a contraction that sound identical.
The possessive 'its' does NOT have an apostrophe, which confuses learners who expect 's to show possession.
Learners sometimes use 'there' when the object is close to them.
よくある間違い
I go to they're house.
I go to their house.
There happy.
They're happy.
Look at their!
Look at that / Look over there!
Is they're a cat?
Is there a cat?
The dogs ate there food.
The dogs ate their food.
They're is a problem.
There is a problem.
I like they're car.
I like their car.
The team lost they're momentum.
The team lost its/their momentum.
There not coming.
They're not coming.
Its over their.
It's over there.
The authors' argue that there perspective is unique.
The authors argue that their perspective is unique.
文型パターン
There is a ___ in the ___.
They're ___ because of their ___.
I went there to see their ___.
There are many people who think they're ___.
Real World Usage
They're almost here, just park over there.
The team has submitted their final report.
Is there a pharmacy near the hotel?
I love their outfits in this photo!
I am impressed by their company culture.
Leave the food there by the door.
「Here」を見つけて！
there の中には here（ここ）が隠れています。場所の話なら here が入っている方を選んでね。 Is anyone there?自動修正に注意
Check their spelling carefully.
「They Are」テスト
they are に置き換えてみて。意味が通れば "they're« が正解です。これは絶対のルール！ »They're coming to dinner."単数形の Their も普通
their を使うのは、今ではとても丁寧で一般的です。 Someone left their umbrella.
Smart Tips
Stop and say 'they are'. If it sounds weird, change it to 'their' or 'there'.
Remember that 'there' is the opposite of 'here'. Both words end in 'ere'.
Check if a noun follows the word. 'Their' almost always has a noun right after it.
Avoid 'they're' entirely. Writing 'they are' prevents spelling mistakes and sounds more professional.
発音
Homophone Identity
All three words are pronounced exactly the same in most dialects: /ðɛər/.
The 'Th' Sound
The 'th' is voiced. Your tongue should touch your upper teeth and vibrate.
Emphasis on 'There'
It's ↘THERE.
Emphasizing the specific location when someone can't find something.
暗記しよう
記憶術
tHERE contains HERE (place). tHEIR contains HEIR (someone who inherits/owns). they'RE contains aRE.
視覚的連想
Imagine a map with a pin for 'there', a group of people holding a box for 'their', and a giant 'A' being crushed by an apostrophe for 'they're'.
Rhyme
If it's a place, 'there' is the case. If they own the bear, it's 'their' to share. If 'they are' is what you mean, 'they're' is the queen.
Story
The twins went to the park. They're very excited to play. They left their ball over there by the big oak tree.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Write three sentences about your neighbors using one of each word correctly.
文化メモ
Mixing these up online often leads to 'Grammar Nazis' correcting you. It's one of the most mocked mistakes on Reddit and Twitter.
Using 'their' as a singular pronoun for non-binary individuals is now standard in many English-speaking cultures and style guides like APA and MLA.
In some Southern US dialects, 'there' might be pronounced with a slight drawl, but it remains a homophone with the others in that specific accent.
Each word has a distinct Germanic or Norse root that converged in sound over centuries.
会話のきっかけ
Have you seen my phone? I thought I left it there.
What do you think of their new album?
They're planning a trip to Japan. Would you go with them?
There is a lot of debate about AI. What's your take?
日記のテーマ
よくある間違い
Test Yourself
My friends are coming over. I need to clean ___ room before they arrive.
their が正解です。正しい文を選んでください：
They're は they are の短縮形なので、「彼らはビーチに行きます」という文にぴったりです。Find and fix the mistake:
Please put the coats on the chair over they're.
there です。 there の中に here があるのを思い出して！Score: /3
練習問題
8 exercises___ going to be very surprised when they see the gift.
The students left ___ books in the classroom.
Find and fix the mistake:
Is they're any coffee left in the pot?
over / car / is / there / their
1. There, 2. Their, 3. They're
Select the grammatically perfect sentence.
___ is no reason to be angry.
Find and fix the mistake:
I think there very nice people.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
13 exercisesIs ___ any milk left in the fridge?
The cats are enjoying ___ new toys.
正しい文を選んでください：
I can't believe their finally finished with the project!
単語を並べ替えて正しい文を作ってください：
___ planning to launch ___ new clothing line next month.
単語とその役割を一致させてください：
英語に訳してください：『彼らは私の友人です。あそこにいて、あれが彼らの車です。』
There are many reasons for they're decision.
正しい文を選んでください：
単語を並べ替えて正しい文を作ってください：
英語に訳してください：『彼らはあそこにバッグを置いていくと思います。』
文の始まりに合う正しい単語を選んでください：
Score: /13
よくある質問 (8)
Yes! This is called the 'singular they'. It is used when you don't know the person's gender or want to be inclusive. Example: `Someone left their phone.`
Because the words sound identical, the brain sometimes picks the most common spelling (`there`) without thinking about the grammar.
No, `thei're` is not a word. You are likely thinking of `they're`.
Yes, usually as an adverb of place. Example: `I'll meet you there.`
Look at the spelling: it has `heir` in it. An heir is someone who owns things!
Generally, no. In formal academic writing, it is better to write out `they are`.
Use `there is` for singular nouns (`There is a cat`) and `there are` for plural nouns (`There are cats`).
Not always. It can also be an 'expletive' used just to start a sentence, like `There is a chance of rain.`
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
allí / su / ellos son
Spanish doesn't have homophones for these three concepts.
là / leur / ils sont
French uses distinct phonemes for place and possession.
dort / ihr / sie sind
German grammar is more complex but orthographically distinct.
asoko / karera no / karera wa... desu
Japanese is agglutinative and visually distinct in script.
hunaka / -hum / hum
Possession is a suffix, not a separate word.
nàlǐ / tāmen de / tāmen shì
Tones and characters make these impossible to confuse in Chinese.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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【聞き分けられる？】There / Their / They're の違い
Hapa 英会話
ネイティブも間違える？Their, There, They're の完璧な使い分け
AK-English
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