Their vs. Theirs

Attribute	Their	Theirs
Definition	Belonging to them	Belonging to them (used as a pronoun)
Usage	Possessive determiner	Possessive pronoun
Function	Shows possession	Shows possession
Part of Speech	Determiner	Pronoun

Definition

The words "their" and "theirs" are both pronouns that indicate possession. "Their" is a possessive pronoun used before a noun to show that something belongs to a group of people. For example, "Their house is beautiful." On the other hand, "theirs" is also a possessive pronoun, but it is used without a noun following it. For example, "The house is theirs."

Usage

One key difference between "their" and "theirs" is how they are used in a sentence. "Their" is used before a noun to show possession, while "theirs" is used on its own to indicate possession. For example, "Their car is parked outside" vs. "The car is theirs." This distinction is important to remember when choosing between the two pronouns in your writing.

Form

Another difference between "their" and "theirs" is their form. "Their" is a possessive pronoun that is used before a noun, while "theirs" is a possessive pronoun that stands alone. This difference in form can impact the flow and clarity of your writing, so it is important to choose the correct pronoun based on the context of your sentence.

Placement

When using "their" in a sentence, it is placed before a noun to show possession. For example, "Their dog is barking loudly." On the other hand, "theirs" is used on its own to indicate possession without a noun following it. For example, "The dog is theirs." Understanding the placement of these pronouns is crucial for conveying the intended meaning in your writing.

Agreement

One important aspect to consider when using "their" and "theirs" is agreement. "Their" must agree in number with the noun it is referring to, while "theirs" does not need to agree with any specific noun. For example, "Their books are on the shelf" vs. "The books are theirs." This agreement is essential for maintaining grammatical correctness in your writing.

Clarity

Choosing between "their" and "theirs" can impact the clarity of your writing. Using "their" before a noun can make it clear who the possession belongs to, while using "theirs" on its own can create a more concise and direct statement. Consider the level of clarity you want to achieve in your writing when deciding between these two pronouns.

Examples

• "Their house is located in the suburbs."
• "The house is theirs."
• "Their children are playing in the yard."
• "The children are theirs."
• "Their car broke down on the highway."
• "The car is theirs."