About this user
Smoke free since Friday, 21 August 2009, at 1822 hours.
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THERE, THEIR, THEY'RE: These homonyms are said to be the most confused words in the English language. I've noticed they're frequently misused on YT. Frankly, it's starting to piss me off. If you don't know when to use which spelling, take a quick look below, because people may just think of you as ignorant if you don't know these very basic words. By the way, misuse might be expected from ESL persons, but many who don't know the difference (as shown in repeated posts made) are from U.S, U.K., Canada, and Australia.
THERE: This is the spelling you'll use most often. It's used as an introductory word. Examples: There is a fly in my soup. There are two apples in the refrigerator. Is there anyone home?
The "there" spelling is also used as an adverb to give location. The book is over there. I went to school there. Please put the book there on the bottom shelf.
THEIR: This is a possessive pronoun, always describing a noun; comes from the word "they" and means "belonging to them." Examples: Their house is the big white one on the corner. They said their car wouldn't start this morning.
THEY'RE: Pretty simple -- it's a contraction (combination of two words) meaning THEY ARE. Examples: They're my best friends. Did you say they're your neighbors?
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While we're at it, two other often confused words are YOUR and YOU'RE.
YOUR: Possessive meaning belonging to you. Examples: Your wife called 15 minutes ago. I like your new phone. What is the name of the street your house is on?
YOU'RE: Another contraction, which is a combination of the words YOU ARE. Examples: You're my best friend. I heard you're getting married. Is it true that you're quitting your job?
