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A2 pronoun 11分で読める

theirs

練習する例文メモとヒント theirs 30秒で

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練習する例文メモとヒント

theirs 30秒で

Possessive pronoun showing ownership by 'them'.
Never uses an apostrophe.
Stands alone, not followed by a noun.
Key for distinguishing group possessions.

The word 'theirs' is a possessive pronoun. It is used to show ownership or belonging to a group of people or things. When we use 'theirs', we are referring to something that belongs to 'them'. It's a way to avoid repeating the noun that has already been mentioned or is understood from the context. For example, if we've been talking about John and Mary's car, we can say, 'That car is theirs' instead of saying, 'That car is John and Mary's car'. This makes our speech and writing more concise and fluid.

Think of it as a shortcut for possession. Instead of saying 'the book belonging to them', we simply say 'their book' if we are modifying the noun, or 'the book is theirs' if we are using it as a pronoun at the end of a sentence or clause. It's important to remember that 'theirs' never uses an apostrophe. This is a common point of confusion for many learners. Apostrophes usually indicate possession with a singular noun (e.g., 'John's book') or a contraction of two words (e.g., 'it's' for 'it is'). 'Theirs' stands alone as a possessive pronoun.

The usage of 'theirs' is quite common in everyday conversation. You'll hear it when people are discussing belongings, ideas, or responsibilities. For instance, 'This is our house, and that one over there is theirs.' Or, 'Our team played well, but their team played even better.' It can also refer to abstract concepts, such as 'Their success is inspiring.' This highlights that 'theirs' is a versatile word that extends beyond just physical objects. It's a fundamental part of expressing possession in English and is encountered regularly in various contexts, from casual chats to more formal discussions. Mastering its use will significantly improve your ability to communicate effectively and naturally.

POSSESSION: 'Theirs' indicates that something belongs to a group of people or things.
PRONOUN: It functions as a pronoun, replacing a noun phrase that indicates possession.
NO APOSTROPHE: Unlike possessive nouns or contractions, 'theirs' does not use an apostrophe.

This house is theirs.

The decision was theirs to make.

Our project is finished, but theirs is still in progress.

Using 'theirs' correctly involves understanding its role as a possessive pronoun. This means it stands in for a possessive noun phrase, effectively replacing both the noun and the possessive element. The most common structure is to have 'theirs' appear after a form of the verb 'to be' (is, are, was, were) or other linking verbs like 'seem', 'appear', or 'become'. This construction places the emphasis on the ownership itself.

For instance, consider the sentence, 'This blue jacket is mine, and that red jacket is theirs.' Here, 'theirs' replaces 'their jacket'. The phrase 'their jacket' consists of the possessive determiner 'their' and the noun 'jacket'. By using 'theirs', we avoid repetition and make the sentence more elegant. Another common scenario is when 'theirs' is used to refer to something understood from prior conversation or context. If someone asks, 'Whose books are these?', you could reply, 'They are theirs,' implying they belong to the group of people you are discussing.

'Theirs' can also be used in comparative structures. For example, 'Our results were good, but theirs were exceptional.' In this case, 'theirs' stands for 'their results'. This highlights a contrast in possession or quality. It's crucial to remember the distinction between 'theirs' and 'their'. 'Their' is a determiner that precedes a noun (e.g., 'their ideas'). 'Theirs' is a pronoun that stands alone (e.g., 'The ideas are theirs'). Another common pattern involves using 'theirs' after prepositions, such as 'This problem is not unique to us; it is theirs as well.' This indicates shared ownership or responsibility.

AFTER LINKING VERBS: The most frequent use of 'theirs' is after verbs like 'is', 'are', 'was', 'were', 'seems', 'appears'. Example: 'The responsibility is theirs.'
REPLACING NOUN PHRASES: 'Theirs' substitutes for a possessive noun phrase. Example: 'This is their car' becomes 'This car is theirs.'
IN COMPARISONS: It can be used to compare possessions or qualities. Example: 'Our strategy is good, but theirs is better.'
AFTER PREPOSITIONS: It can follow prepositions to indicate belonging. Example: 'The credit belongs to theirs.'

This idea is not mine; it is theirs.

The children are playing with theirs toys, not ours.

Our garden is small, but theirs is huge.

The word 'theirs' is a staple in everyday English conversation, appearing in a wide range of informal and semi-formal settings. You'll frequently encounter it when people are discussing possessions, responsibilities, or opinions among groups. For instance, in a casual chat among friends about where to go on vacation, someone might say, 'We're thinking of going to the mountains. What about you? Where are you planning to go?' And another friend might respond, 'We haven't decided yet, but the beach is definitely theirs.' Here, 'theirs' refers to the plans of another group of people.

In a family context, discussions about belongings are common. Imagine siblings dividing up inherited items. One might say, 'This painting is mine, and that statue is yours, but the antique clock is theirs.' 'Theirs' in this case would refer to another sibling or family branch. Similarly, when discussing chores or shared responsibilities, you might hear, 'We've finished our part of the project, but the final report is theirs.' This clearly indicates that the responsibility for the report lies with a specific group.

You'll also hear 'theirs' in situations involving comparisons. If two teams have just finished a game, a commentator might say, 'Our team scored three goals, but theirs was a stunning victory with five goals.' Or, in a discussion about performance reviews, 'My performance was satisfactory, but theirs was outstanding.' This usage helps to highlight differences or similarities between groups. Even in everyday observations, like commenting on houses in a neighborhood, someone might point and say, 'Our house is the blue one; the yellow one next door is theirs.' The word is versatile and naturally fits into sentences where ownership or belonging to a plural entity is being discussed without needing to repeat the specific noun.

CASUAL CONVERSATIONS: Common in discussions about possessions, plans, or opinions between friends and family.
FAMILY DISCUSSIONS: Used when talking about shared items, inheritances, or responsibilities among family members.
COMPARISONS: Frequently heard when contrasting the possessions, achievements, or qualities of different groups.
OBSERVATIONAL STATEMENTS: Used to identify belongings or areas belonging to others, especially in physical spaces.

'Is this your phone?' 'No, this is mine. That one over there must be theirs.'

'We finished our homework, did you finish theirs too?'

'Our car is old, but theirs is brand new.'

One of the most frequent errors learners make with 'theirs' is the misuse of the apostrophe. Many people incorrectly write 'their's' or 'there's' when they mean 'theirs'. Remember, 'theirs' is a possessive pronoun and does not require an apostrophe. The apostrophe is typically used for contractions (like 'there's' for 'there is' or 'there has') or for showing possession with singular nouns (like 'the dog's bone'). 'Theirs' stands alone as a possessive pronoun, indicating ownership by 'them'. So, sentences like 'The house is their's' are grammatically incorrect; the correct form is 'The house is theirs'.

Another common mistake is confusing 'theirs' with 'their'. As mentioned, 'their' is a possessive determiner, meaning it must be followed by a noun. For example, 'Their car is fast.' Here, 'their' modifies the noun 'car'. 'Theirs', on the other hand, is a pronoun and stands alone, replacing a possessive noun phrase. So, you would say, 'The fast car is theirs.' A sentence like 'The car is theirs fast' is incorrect because 'theirs' is not an adverb and cannot modify 'fast' in this way. Similarly, saying 'Theirs car is fast' is wrong because 'theirs' cannot function as a determiner.

A less common but still notable mistake involves using 'theirs' when referring to a single person's possession. 'Theirs' is exclusively used for plural possessors ('them'). If you are referring to the possession of a single person, you would use 'his', 'hers', 'yours' (if addressing one person), or 'mine'. For example, if the book belongs to one person, you would say, 'The book is his' or 'The book is hers', not 'The book is theirs'. It's important to ensure that the context clearly indicates a plural subject for 'theirs' to be appropriate. Finally, some speakers might incorrectly use 'there's' when they intend to use 'theirs', such as 'There's is the blue one.' This is a confusion between the contraction 'there's' (meaning 'there is' or 'there has') and the possessive pronoun 'theirs'.

APOSTROPHE ERROR: Incorrectly adding an apostrophe, writing 'their's' instead of 'theirs'. 'Theirs' is a pronoun and never uses an apostrophe.
CONFUSING 'THEIRS' AND 'THEIR': Using 'theirs' where 'their' is needed (before a noun) or vice versa. 'Their' precedes a noun (their house), while 'theirs' stands alone (The house is theirs).
USING FOR SINGULAR POSSESSORS: Applying 'theirs' to indicate the possession of a single person, when 'his' or 'hers' should be used.
CONFUSING WITH 'THERE'S': Mistaking the contraction 'there's' (there is/has) for the possessive pronoun 'theirs'.

Incorrect: The responsibility is their's.
Correct: The responsibility is theirs.

Incorrect: Theirs book is on the table.
Correct: Their book is on the table.

Incorrect: The car is theirs.
Correct: The car is his (if referring to one male).

While 'theirs' is a specific possessive pronoun, there are other words and phrases that serve similar functions, often with subtle differences in meaning, grammatical structure, or register. The most direct alternative, though grammatically different, is the possessive determiner 'their' used in conjunction with a noun. For example, instead of saying 'The house is theirs,' you would say 'It is their house.' Here, 'their' modifies the noun 'house', indicating possession. The key distinction is that 'their' must always be followed by a noun, whereas 'theirs' stands alone.

Another way to express possession is through the possessive noun phrase itself, often repeated. For instance, instead of 'The project is theirs,' one could say 'The project belongs to them.' While grammatically correct, this construction is often less concise than using the pronoun 'theirs'. Similarly, one might use phrases like 'It is a possession of theirs' or 'It is something of theirs'. These constructions are more formal and less common in everyday speech.

When comparing 'theirs' to other possessive pronouns like 'mine', 'yours', 'his', 'hers', and 'ours', the core function is the same: to indicate ownership. The difference lies solely in the entity that possesses the item. 'Theirs' specifically refers to a plural possessor ('them'). If the context implies a single possessor, one would use 'his' (for a male), 'hers' (for a female), or 'its' (for a neuter noun, though 'its' is rarely used as a pronoun in this way). The pronoun 'yours' can refer to a single person or multiple people, making it context-dependent.

THEIR + NOUN: Functionally similar but grammatically different. 'Their' is a determiner and must precede a noun. Example: 'Their car is red.' vs. 'The red car is theirs.' This is the most common alternative structure.
BELONGS TO THEM: A phrase that expresses possession explicitly. It is more formal and less concise than using 'theirs'. Example: 'This book belongs to them.' vs. 'This book is theirs.'
POSSESSIVE NOUNS: Using the actual name or title of the group. Example: 'The responsibility is John and Mary's.' vs. 'The responsibility is theirs.' This is less common when the group is already clear.
OTHER POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS: Mine, yours, his, hers, ours. These function identically to 'theirs' but refer to different possessors (singular or plural). Example: 'The responsibility is mine.' vs. 'The responsibility is theirs.'

Alternative: This is their strategy.
Using 'theirs': This strategy is theirs.

Alternative: The decision belongs to them.
Using 'theirs': The decision is theirs.

Example with another possessive pronoun: This idea is mine.
Example with 'theirs': This idea is theirs.

How Formal Is It?

豆知識

The development of possessive pronouns like 'theirs' reflects a linguistic trend towards more concise expression. Before these pronouns were fully established, speakers might have used constructions like 'the book of them' or repeated the noun phrase, which is less efficient. The evolution of 'theirs' allowed for more fluid sentence construction.

発音ガイド

UK /ðeərz/

US /ðɛrz/

The stress is on the only syllable: THEIRS.

韻が合う語

bears cares dares flares glare hairs lairs pairs

よくある間違い

Pronouncing it as 'their's' (incorrect apostrophe).
Confusing the vowel sound with 'there's' (there is/has).
Not pronouncing the final 'z' sound clearly.
Substituting 'th' with 't' or 'd'.
Mispronouncing the vowel sound (e.g., like 'ear' in 'hear').

難易度

読解 2/5

The word 'theirs' is relatively common in written texts. Learners at the A2 CEFR level are introduced to its basic usage. Understanding its function as a pronoun and distinguishing it from 'their' are key challenges. Its presence in diverse texts, from simple stories to more complex articles, requires consistent exposure and practice.

ライティング 2/5

Producing correct sentences with 'theirs' requires careful attention to grammar, particularly avoiding the apostrophe error and correctly differentiating it from 'their'. Learners often need practice in constructing sentences where 'theirs' functions as a standalone pronoun.

スピーキング 2/5

Using 'theirs' accurately in spontaneous speech can be challenging due to the common errors associated with it. Learners may hesitate or substitute simpler phrases. Active listening and practice in conversational settings are crucial.

リスニング 1/5

Recognizing 'theirs' when spoken is generally straightforward, especially as native speakers use it frequently. The main difficulty might arise if it's slurred or confused with similar-sounding words in rapid speech, but its distinct meaning usually makes it clear.

次に学ぶべきこと

前提知識

they them their mine yours

次に学ぶ

themselves possessive adjectives possessive nouns

上級

ownership possession attribution responsibility

知っておくべき文法

Possessive Pronouns

Possessive pronouns (mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs) stand alone and indicate ownership without needing a following noun. 'Theirs' is the third-person plural form.

Possessive Determiners

Possessive determiners (my, your, his, her, its, our, their) precede a noun to show possession. 'Their' is the determiner form corresponding to 'theirs'.

Apostrophe Usage

Apostrophes in English are primarily used for contractions (e.g., 'it's' for 'it is') or to show possession with singular nouns (e.g., 'the dog's bone'). Possessive pronouns like 'theirs' do not use apostrophes.

Subject-Verb Agreement

When 'theirs' is the subject of a sentence (e.g., 'Theirs is a difficult situation'), the verb agrees with the noun that 'theirs' refers to in the implied context. However, 'theirs' itself is plural.

Pronoun Reference

Pronouns like 'theirs' must clearly refer back to a specific plural noun or group mentioned earlier in the text or conversation to avoid ambiguity.

無料登録して完全な解説を読む

レベル別の例文

This is our house, and that one is theirs.

'Theirs' is a possessive pronoun showing ownership by a group.

Our books are on the table, but theirs are on the floor.

'Theirs' replaces 'their books' to avoid repetition.

I like my dog, and they like theirs.

'Theirs' refers to the dog belonging to 'them'.

This is not my car; it is theirs.

'Theirs' indicates that the car belongs to 'them'.

Our garden is big, but theirs is small.

'Theirs' stands for 'their garden'.

They finished their work, and we finished ours. What about theirs?

'Theirs' refers to the work belonging to 'them'.

The decision was theirs to make.

'Theirs' shows that the authority to decide belongs to 'them'.

We brought our snacks; did they bring theirs?

'Theirs' replaces 'their snacks'.

While our proposal was accepted, theirs was rejected.

'Theirs' refers to 'their proposal'.

The children played with their toys, but the adults discussed theirs.

'Theirs' refers to the 'adults' discussions' or 'adults' topics'.

It's not our fault; the mistake was entirely theirs.

'Theirs' indicates that the blame or responsibility belongs to 'them'.

Our team's performance was good, but theirs was outstanding.

'Theirs' stands for 'their team's performance'.

They have their own opinions, and we have ours, but theirs are often quite radical.

'Theirs' refers to 'their opinions'.

The responsibility for organizing the event falls to them; it is theirs.

'Theirs' emphasizes that the entire responsibility is theirs.

We bought our tickets online, but they got theirs at the venue.

'Theirs' replaces 'their tickets'.

Their house is beautiful, but the garden is clearly theirs.

'Theirs' refers specifically to the garden belonging to them.

The success of the project was attributed not only to our team but also to theirs.

'Theirs' refers to 'their team's contribution'.

While our approach was conventional, theirs was innovative and groundbreaking.

'Theirs' stands for 'their approach'.

They claimed ownership of the land, arguing that it had been theirs for generations.

'Theirs' emphasizes long-standing possession.

Our findings corroborated some of their earlier research.

'Theirs' refers to 'their earlier research'.

The children's artwork was displayed prominently, as was theirs.

'Theirs' refers to 'their artwork'.

The responsibility for maintaining the historical site is theirs, as per the agreement.

'Theirs' denotes the group responsible for upkeep.

We secured our funding through grants, while theirs came from private investors.

'Theirs' refers to 'their funding'.

The final decision regarding the merger was ultimately theirs to make.

'Theirs' signifies the ultimate authority rests with them.

The philosophical underpinnings of their argument were quite distinct from ours.

'Theirs' refers to 'their argument's philosophical underpinnings'.

While we inherited a legacy of tradition, theirs was one of innovation and disruption.

'Theirs' refers to 'their legacy'.

The culpability for the incident, according to the report, was primarily theirs.

'Theirs' indicates the primary responsibility or blame.

Their contributions to the field were substantial, arguably surpassing ours in scope.

'Theirs' refers to 'their contributions'.

The aesthetic sensibilities evident in their design were truly unique.

'Theirs' refers to 'their design's aesthetic sensibilities'.

The ultimate authority and decision-making power resided with them; it was unequivocally theirs.

'Theirs' denotes absolute possession of authority.

Our methodology focused on empirical data, whereas theirs delved into theoretical frameworks.

'Theirs' refers to 'their methodology'.

The narrative arc of their story was compelling, offering a fresh perspective.

'Theirs' refers to 'their story's narrative arc'.

The inherent limitations of their paradigm necessitated a radical rethinking of the established principles.

'Theirs' refers to 'their paradigm's inherent limitations'.

While our foundational beliefs were rooted in Enlightenment ideals, theirs were forged in the crucible of post-modern skepticism.

'Theirs' refers to 'their foundational beliefs'.

The existential weight of their predicament was palpable, a burden that seemed almost insurmountable.

'Theirs' refers to 'their predicament's existential weight'.

Their epistemological stance, characterized by radical empiricism, stood in stark contrast to our rationalist framework.

'Theirs' refers to 'their epistemological stance'.

The intricate tapestry of their cultural heritage, woven with threads of ancient myth and modern adaptation, was truly remarkable.

'Theirs' refers to 'their cultural heritage'.

The ultimate arbiter of truth in their system was not empirical evidence, but rather divine revelation; the authority was exclusively theirs.

'Theirs' emphasizes exclusive possession of ultimate authority.

Our approach to problem-solving was pragmatic, while theirs was decidedly idealistic.

'Theirs' refers to 'their approach'.

The ontological assumptions underpinning their theory were fundamentally different from our own.

'Theirs' refers to 'their theory's ontological assumptions'.

よく使う組み合わせ

is theirs

was theirs

of theirs

theirs alone

theirs to

not theirs

truly theirs

unquestionably theirs

entirely theirs

clearly theirs

よく使うフレーズ

It is theirs.

— This phrase directly states that something belongs to them. It's a straightforward way to assign ownership.

After much debate, the final decision is theirs.

Theirs is...

— This structure is used to introduce something that belongs to them, often for comparison or contrast. It's a way to highlight their possession or characteristic.

Ours is a challenging path, but theirs is even more so.

belongs to them

— A more formal way to express possession, emphasizing that ownership rests with the group.

The property ultimately belongs to them, the original heirs.

not theirs

— This phrase indicates that something does not belong to them, negating their ownership or responsibility.

The fault for the delay is not theirs; it lies elsewhere.

theirs alone

— This phrase emphasizes exclusivity, meaning something belongs solely to them without any shared ownership.

The victory was theirs alone, a testament to their hard work.

theirs to...

— This structure indicates that a certain right, choice, or action belongs to them.

The choice of venue is theirs to make.

a matter of theirs

— Indicates that something is within their jurisdiction, concern, or responsibility.

Whether to proceed with the merger is a matter of theirs.

theirs by right

— Suggests that they have a legitimate claim or entitlement to something.

The inheritance was theirs by right of kinship.

theirs to command

— Implies they have the authority to direct or control something.

The resources of the department are theirs to command.

theirs to keep

— Indicates that something is theirs permanently and they have the right to retain it.

The prize money is theirs to keep.

よく混同される語

theirs vs their

The most common confusion. 'Their' is a determiner and must be followed by a noun (e.g., 'their house'). 'Theirs' is a pronoun and stands alone (e.g., 'The house is theirs').

theirs vs there's

'There's' is a contraction for 'there is' or 'there has' (e.g., 'There's a car outside'). It is never a possessive pronoun.

theirs vs they're

'They're' is a contraction for 'they are' (e.g., 'They're happy'). It has no relation to possession.

慣用句と表現

"the ball is theirs"

— This idiom means that it is now their turn to act or take responsibility for something, especially in a game or a negotiation.

We've made our offer; now the ball is theirs to respond.

informal

"their bread and butter"

— Refers to the main source of income or livelihood for a group of people. While not directly using 'theirs' as a pronoun, it's closely related to their possessions and earnings.

Selling these handmade crafts is their bread and butter.

informal

"their cup of tea"

— Means something that someone likes or is good at. It's about their preferences or skills.

This kind of complex problem-solving might not be their cup of tea.

informal

"their own worst enemy"

— Describes someone or a group whose actions inadvertently cause their own problems or failures.

By refusing to cooperate, they were becoming their own worst enemy.

neutral

"their ship has come in"

— Indicates that they have suddenly become successful or wealthy, often due to good fortune.

After years of struggle, it seems their ship has finally come in.

informal

"their turn of the wheel"

— Refers to a period of good fortune or success after a period of bad luck.

After a series of setbacks, it's finally their turn of the wheel.

neutral

"their goose is cooked"

— Means that they are in serious trouble or have failed completely.

If the auditors find the discrepancies, their goose is cooked.

informal

"their hands are tied"

— Means they are unable to act or help because of rules, restrictions, or circumstances.

They want to help, but their hands are tied by company policy.

neutral

"their plates are full"

— Means they are very busy and have a lot of work or responsibilities.

They'd love to take on another project, but their plates are already full.

informal

"their ship has sailed"

— Means that an opportunity has been missed and is no longer available.

He waited too long to apply; their ship has sailed.

informal

間違えやすい

theirs vs their

Both words relate to possession by 'them'.

'Their' is a possessive determiner used before a noun (e.g., 'their car'). 'Theirs' is a possessive pronoun that stands alone, replacing 'their + noun' (e.g., 'The car is theirs').

Their car is red. The red car is theirs.

theirs vs there's

Phonetic similarity and the presence of 's' can lead to confusion.

'There's' is a contraction of 'there is' or 'there has' (e.g., 'There's a book on the table'). 'Theirs' is a possessive pronoun indicating ownership (e.g., 'The book is theirs').

There's a dog in the park. The dog is theirs.

theirs vs they're

Phonetic similarity.

'They're' is a contraction of 'they are' (e.g., 'They're coming soon'). 'Theirs' is a possessive pronoun showing ownership (e.g., 'The coming is theirs to decide').

They're going home. The decision to go home is theirs.

theirs vs mine

Both are possessive pronouns.

'Mine' indicates possession by the speaker (singular). 'Theirs' indicates possession by a group of people (plural).

This is mine. This is theirs.

theirs vs ours

Both are possessive pronouns indicating group possession.

'Ours' includes the speaker in the group of possessors (e.g., 'Our house'). 'Theirs' refers to a group that does not include the speaker (e.g., 'Their house').

This house is ours. That house is theirs.

文型パターン

This/That + is + theirs.

This bag is theirs.

Ours/Yours/Theirs + are + plural noun (implied).

Our books are here, and theirs are over there.

Subject + Linking Verb + theirs.

The responsibility was theirs.

Comparison: [Possession 1] + [verb] + [Possession 2], but theirs + [verb] + [adjective/noun].

Our plan was simple, but theirs was complex.

Theirs + is/was + to + infinitive.

Theirs is to decide the future.

It + is/was + theirs + [prepositional phrase].

It is theirs by merit.

Theirs + is/was + a/an + adjective + noun.

Theirs was a vision for a better world.

The [noun] + is/was + theirs.

The ultimate success is theirs.

語族

形容詞

their

使い方

frequency

High

よくある間違い

Adding an apostrophe: 'their's' → 'theirs'
Possessive pronouns like 'theirs', 'mine', 'yours', 'his', 'hers', 'ours', and 'its' do not use apostrophes. The apostrophe is used for contractions (e.g., 'there's' for 'there is') or for possessive nouns (e.g., 'the dog's bone').
Confusing 'their' and 'theirs'. Using 'theirs' before a noun. → 'their'
'Their' is a determiner and must be followed by a noun (e.g., 'their car'). 'Theirs' is a pronoun and stands alone (e.g., 'The car is theirs').
Confusing 'theirs' with 'there's'. → 'theirs'
'There's' is a contraction for 'there is' or 'there has' (e.g., 'There's a problem'). 'Theirs' is a possessive pronoun indicating ownership (e.g., 'The problem is theirs').
Using 'theirs' for singular possession. → 'his' or 'hers'
'Theirs' is exclusively used for plural possessors ('them'). For a single male possessor, use 'his'. For a single female possessor, use 'hers'.
Using 'theirs' as a subject without a clear antecedent. → Rephrase or add context.
While 'Theirs is the responsibility' is grammatically correct, it can sound abrupt. It's often better to provide context first, e.g., 'Regarding the project, the responsibility is theirs.'

ヒント

Apostrophe Alert!

Remember, 'theirs' is a possessive pronoun and never uses an apostrophe. Avoid writing 'their's'. The apostrophe is for contractions like 'there's' (there is/has) or possessive nouns like 'the dog's bone'.

Their vs. Theirs

The key difference: 'Their' is a determiner and comes BEFORE a noun (e.g., 'their house'). 'Theirs' is a pronoun and stands ALONE (e.g., 'The house is theirs'). If you can replace the word with 'belonging to them' at the end of the sentence, it's 'theirs'.

Plural Possession

Use 'theirs' specifically when referring to something that belongs to a group of people or things. It's the plural equivalent of 'his' or 'hers' when the pronoun stands alone.

Visual Association

Picture a group of people (them) pointing emphatically at something and saying, 'That belongs to THEIRS!' The visual of multiple people claiming ownership can help solidify the meaning.

Sentence Building

Practice writing sentences where 'theirs' functions as the subject or predicate nominative. For example: 'Theirs is the ultimate decision.' or 'The responsibility was theirs.'

Compare and Contrast

Compare sentences using 'theirs' with sentences using 'their' and other possessive pronouns like 'ours' or 'mine' to solidify understanding of their distinct roles and meanings.

Avoid 'Their's'

This is the most frequent mistake. Double-check your writing to ensure you haven't incorrectly added an apostrophe to 'theirs'.

Listen for the Group

In spoken English, 'theirs' typically follows a mention of a group of people. Try to identify who 'they' refers to when you hear 'theirs'.

After Linking Verbs

The most common structure for 'theirs' is after a linking verb like 'is', 'are', 'was', 'were'. For example, 'The house is theirs.'

Ensure Clear Reference

When using 'theirs', make sure the group ('they') it refers to is clear from the context. Ambiguity can lead to misunderstanding.

暗記しよう

記憶術

Imagine a group of people (them) standing by a fence, pointing to something and saying, 'That fence is THEIRS!' The visual of 'them' pointing emphasizes possession by a group.

視覚的連想

Picture a group of people (them) holding hands in a circle around a valuable object, like a treasure chest. The circle represents 'them' and the chest represents 'theirs'.

Word Web

Possession Ownership Belonging Group Plural Pronoun Object Property

チャレンジ

Write five sentences using 'theirs' to describe things that belong to different groups of people (e.g., their school, their ideas, their home). Then, try to rephrase each sentence using 'their' + noun and compare the difference in flow.

語源

The word 'theirs' evolved from Old English and Middle English forms related to 'their'. It is a possessive pronoun that developed to stand alone, replacing possessive noun phrases. The formation is analogous to how 'mine', 'yours', 'his', 'hers', 'its', and 'ours' function as independent possessive pronouns.

元の意味： Indicating possession by 'them'.

Indo-European > Germanic > West Germanic > English

文化的な背景

When using 'theirs', ensure the context clearly identifies the group being referred to, avoiding ambiguity. If the group is sensitive or their possessions are private, ensure appropriate discretion.

In English-speaking contexts, 'theirs' is a fundamental pronoun for expressing collective possession, distinguishing it from singular possessions ('his', 'hers') and shared possessions including the speaker ('ours'). Its correct usage is a marker of grammatical proficiency.

Literature often uses 'theirs' to denote the possessions or legacies of characters or groups, e.g., 'the dreams that were theirs'. Legal and contractual language might use 'theirs' to define collective rights or responsibilities, e.g., 'the rights are theirs under this agreement'. Social commentary might employ 'theirs' to discuss collective identity or property, e.g., 'the future is theirs to shape'.

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

Discussing belongings and property.

This is theirs.
The house is theirs.
The car is theirs.
The garden is theirs.

Comparing possessions or qualities of different groups.

Ours is good, theirs is better.
Our results vs. theirs.
Their performance was unlike ours.
Their ideas were different from ours.

Assigning responsibility or blame.

The fault is theirs.
The responsibility is theirs.
The decision was theirs.
The credit belongs to theirs.

Referring to abstract concepts like ideas, opinions, or legacies.

The idea is theirs.
Their opinion is theirs.
Their legacy is theirs.
Their contribution is theirs.

General statements of belonging.

It is theirs.
This belongs to theirs.
That is theirs.
The choice is theirs.

会話のきっかけ

"What's something you own that you're really proud of? Is it yours, or is it theirs?"

"If you could trade lives with anyone, whose life would you choose and why?"

"Imagine you found a lost item. How would you try to find out whose it is?"

"Do you think it's better for families to share everything, or for everyone to have their own things?"

"What's a popular trend right now? Do you think it's yours or theirs?"

日記のテーマ

Describe a situation where you had to distinguish between your belongings and someone else's. How did you express this?

Reflect on a time when a group's collective effort led to success. How would you describe that success using the word 'theirs'?

Consider a debate or disagreement you've witnessed. How could the concept of 'theirs' be used to describe the opposing viewpoints?

Write a short story where a group discovers something valuable. Use the word 'theirs' to describe their claim to it.

Think about shared resources in your community. Who do they belong to? How would you describe that ownership using 'theirs'?

よくある質問

10 問

The main difference lies in their grammatical function. 'Their' is a possessive determiner, meaning it must be followed by a noun to show possession (e.g., 'their dog'). 'Theirs' is a possessive pronoun; it stands alone and replaces 'their + noun' (e.g., 'The dog is theirs'). Think of it this way: 'Their' is like an adjective, while 'theirs' is like a noun substitute.

No, 'theirs' never uses an apostrophe. This is a common mistake. Apostrophes are used for contractions (like 'there's' for 'there is') or for showing possession with singular nouns (like 'the cat's toy'). 'Theirs' is a possessive pronoun and stands alone without an apostrophe.

No, 'theirs' is exclusively used to indicate possession by a group of people (plural). If you are referring to the possession of a single person, you would use 'his' (for a male) or 'hers' (for a female). For example, 'The book is his' or 'The book is hers', not 'The book is theirs'.

Use 'theirs' when you are referring to something that belongs to 'them' and the word stands alone at the end of a sentence or clause, or as the subject of a sentence. For example, 'The responsibility is theirs.' Use 'their' when you are modifying a noun that belongs to 'them' (e.g., 'their responsibility').

Yes, 'theirs' can refer to uncountable nouns if those nouns belong to a group. For example, 'Their understanding of the subject is deep; ours is also deep, but theirs is more profound.' Here, 'theirs' stands for 'their understanding'.

'Theirs' is not the plural form of 'their' in the sense of modifying a noun. 'Their' is used before any plural noun (e.g., 'their cars'). 'Theirs' is the possessive pronoun form that stands alone and refers to plural possession.

Ask yourself: 1. Does it refer to something belonging to 'them' (a group)? 2. Does the word stand alone, or is it followed by a noun? If it stands alone, it's likely 'theirs'. If it's followed by a noun, it's likely 'their'.

The main 'trick' is remembering the apostrophe rule and the distinction between 'their' and 'theirs'. It's also important to ensure the context clearly identifies the plural possessor. For instance, saying 'The car is theirs' assumes the listener knows who 'they' are.

Yes, 'theirs' can refer to things that belong to a group of entities, not just people. For example, if two companies merge, you might say, 'Our combined assets are significant, but theirs are even greater.' Here, 'theirs' refers to the assets of the other company.

'Theirs' developed from Middle English forms related to 'their'. It evolved as a possessive pronoun to stand independently, indicating ownership by 'them', similar to how 'mine', 'yours', and 'ours' function.

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