Theirs vs. There's

Attribute	Theirs	There's
Meaning	Belonging to them	Contraction of "there is" or "there has"
Usage	Possessive pronoun	Contraction
Part of Speech	Pronoun	Contraction
Examples	Their car is parked outside.	There's a cat on the roof.

Definition and Usage

One of the most common grammar mistakes people make is confusing "theirs" and "there's." Both words are pronouns, but they are used in different contexts. "Theirs" is a possessive pronoun that shows ownership, while "there's" is a contraction of "there is" or "there has." Understanding the differences between these two words can help you communicate more effectively in writing.

Usage of Theirs

"Theirs" is a possessive pronoun that is used to show ownership. It is the plural form of "his," "her," or "its." For example, if you are talking about a book that belongs to a group of people, you would say, "The book is theirs." This indicates that the book belongs to them collectively. "Theirs" can also be used to refer to a situation or quality that belongs to a group of people. For instance, you could say, "The responsibility is theirs," meaning that the responsibility belongs to them.

Usage of There's

"There's" is a contraction of "there is" or "there has." It is used to indicate the existence of something or to introduce something. For example, you could say, "There's a cat in the yard," to indicate that a cat is present in the yard. Or you could say, "There's been a mistake," to indicate that a mistake has occurred. "There's" is commonly used in spoken English and informal writing to make sentences more concise.

Form and Structure

The form and structure of "theirs" and "there's" are different due to their different grammatical functions. "Theirs" is a possessive pronoun that does not require an apostrophe. It is used to show ownership without indicating a contraction. On the other hand, "there's" is a contraction of "there is" or "there has." It combines the words "there" and "is" or "has" with an apostrophe to indicate the omission of letters.

Common Mistakes

One common mistake people make when using "theirs" and "there's" is confusing the possessive pronoun with the contraction. For example, someone might write, "There's book on the table," when they actually mean, "The book is theirs." Another common mistake is using "there's" when they should use "there are." For instance, someone might say, "There's many people at the party," instead of "There are many people at the party." Being aware of these common mistakes can help you avoid them in your writing.

Examples in Sentences

Here are some examples of how "theirs" and "there's" can be used correctly in sentences:

• "The house is theirs, not ours."
• "There's a problem with the computer."
• "The responsibility is theirs to handle."
• "There's been a misunderstanding."
• "The decision is theirs to make."

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the differences between "theirs" and "there's" can help you improve your writing and communication skills. Remember that "theirs" is a possessive pronoun used to show ownership, while "there's" is a contraction of "there is" or "there has" used to indicate existence or introduce something. By paying attention to the form, structure, and common mistakes associated with these words, you can use them correctly in your writing and avoid confusion.