If you ever stop while writing and ask yourself is it theirs or there’s, you are not alone. This is one of the most confusing grammar problems in English.
Students, bloggers, and even fluent speakers mix these words because they sound almost the same when spoken. The confusion increases because there, their, they’re, theirs, and there’s all look similar. In writing, however, one apostrophe can change the whole meaning of a sentence.
Many people search theirs or there’s meaning because they want a quick and clear answer. Using the wrong word can make emails look careless, blog posts lose credibility, and professional writing feel weak.
As an writer, I have seen this exact mistake hundreds of times in articles, emails, and student assignments. This guide explains the difference in simple language. You will learn the rules, examples, common mistakes, and practical tips so you always choose the correct word.
Theirs or There’s means
Theirs shows ownership.
There’s means there is or there has.
If something belongs to them, use theirs.
If you are saying something exists, use there’s.
Examples:
The responsibility is theirs.
There’s an error in the report.
This rule answers most theirs or there’s grammar questions instantly.
Quick Decision Guide
If it shows belonging to them, choose theirs.
If it can be replaced with there is, choose there’s.
If you can say belongs to them, use theirs.
If you can say there is, use there’s.
Meaning decides the word, not pronunciation.
When Should I Use Theirs or There’s
Use theirs when something belongs to people.
Use there’s when you introduce something that exists.
This simple rule works for voice search, daily writing, and exams. It removes confusion and saves time.
The Origin of Theirs or There’s
Theirs comes from Old English possessive pronouns. It means belonging to them. Like his, hers, and ours, it never uses an apostrophe. Possessive pronouns do not show ownership with apostrophes.
There’s is a contraction. It is formed from there and is or there and has. The apostrophe shows missing letters. That is why there’s always has an apostrophe, and theirs never does. This explains why their’s is always incorrect.
British English vs American English Spelling
There is no spelling difference between British English and American English for theirs or there’s. The grammar rules are exactly the same in both varieties. Writers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other English-speaking countries follow the same usage rules.
Comparison Table
Theirs means ownership in both forms of English.
There’s means there is or there has in both forms as well.
The confusion is grammatical, not regional.
Which Spelling Should You Use
Choose the spelling based on meaning, not location. Use theirs when something belongs to a group. Use there’s when you are talking about existence. Audience location does not change the rule. This advice works for US readers, UK readers, and global audiences.
Common Mistakes with Theirs or There’s
One common mistake is writing the house is there’s. The correct sentence is the house is theirs.
Another mistake is writing theirs a problem with the system. The correct sentence is there’s a problem with the system.
A third mistake is writing their’s plan failed. The correct sentence is their plan failed or the plan was theirs.
These errors appear often in grammar searches.
Theirs or There’s in Everyday Examples
Emails:
Please return the documents, they are theirs.
There’s an update in the shared folder.
News:
The final decision is theirs.
There’s growing concern about prices.
Social Media:
Not my issue, it’s theirs.
There’s no way this happened.
Formal Writing:
Legal responsibility remains theirs.
There’s sufficient evidence to continue.
Theirs or There’s – Google Trends and Usage Data
Search behavior shows there’s appears more often because it is common in spoken English. Theirs appears less frequently but is common in academic, legal, and professional writing. Popular searches include theirs or there’s examples, theirs or there’s quiz, difference between there and their examples, and there, their, they’re examples. Most confusion comes from similar sounding words.
Keyword Comparison Table
Theirs is a possessive pronoun used for ownership.
There’s is a contraction meaning there is.
Their is a possessive adjective.
There refers to location.
They’re means they are.
Seeing these words together helps learners understand differences clearly.
Helpful Tip
If you feel unsure, write one sentence using theirs and one using there’s. The correct meaning usually becomes obvious immediately.
Practice and Learning Section
To fully master theirs or there’s, practice is important. Reading rules once helps, but using them builds confidence. Try rewriting sentences and checking meaning each time. Ask yourself if the sentence shows ownership or existence. This habit reduces mistakes quickly.
Short Practice Quiz
The bags are not mine, they are blank.
Blank a chance we will finish today.
The choice was not ours, it was blank.
Blank no reason to worry.
Correct answers are theirs, there’s, theirs, and there’s.
Connection with There, Their, and They’re
Many learners confuse theirs or there’s with there, their, and they’re. Remember that their comes before a noun, there shows place, and they’re means they are. Understanding this group reduces grammar confusion.
Professional Writing Advice
In professional documents, clarity matters more than style. While there’s is correct, many formal texts prefer there is. Theirs is acceptable in all writing levels.
Final Reminder
Do not rely on sound alone. English has many words that sound alike but work differently. Always check meaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “theirs” grammatically correct?
Yes, theirs is a correct possessive pronoun.
When should I use theirs?
Use it when something belongs to them.
When should I use there’s?
Use it when you mean there is or there has.
What is the theirs or there’s meaning?
Theirs shows ownership. There’s shows existence.
Is there’s formal English?
It is correct but often avoided in very formal writing.
Is it theirs or there’s in a sentence?
Choose based on meaning, not sound.
Is theirs or theirs correct?
Yes, theirs never uses an apostrophe.
Conclusion
Understanding theirs or there’s becomes easy when you focus on meaning instead of sound. Theirs shows ownership, while there’s means there is or there has. One word answers who owns something, and the other answers what exists. This small rule greatly improves clarity and trust. This explanation follows standard English grammar used in education and professional writing. If it belongs to them, use theirs. If something exists, use there’s. Your writing will feel clearer, stronger, and more confident every time.
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