Thier vs. Their: Understanding the Distinction

Contents

In the English language, commonly confused words can lead to misunderstandings and errors in writing. “Thier” versus “their” is one such pair that often confuses due to their similar pronunciation despite one being a misspelling. Understanding the difference between these two terms is crucial for clear and effective communication. The correct term, “their,” is a possessive adjective used to indicate ownership or association with a group of people or entities.

Thier vs. Their: Getting It Right

Key Takeaways

“Their” is a possessive adjective indicating that something belongs to a group.
“Thier” is a common misspelling and not recognized in English dictionaries.

Thier vs. Their: What’s the Correct Spelling?

What Does Their Mean?

Their is the possessive form of the pronoun “they,” used to indicate ownership or belonging. For example:

In the sentence “Their dog is friendly,” it signifies that the dog belongs to them.
If we say “We’re visiting their new house,” it implies that the house is owned by the people we are referring to.

What Does Thier Mean?

Thier is a misspelling of the word “their.” It does not have a definition and is not recognized as a correct word in the English language. When we see “thier,” it’s most often a typographical error that should be corrected to “their.”

Examples of Correct Usage

Incorrect: Thier

Usage: Actually, “thier” is not a correct spelling in English.
Example: Thier dog is over there. (Incorrect spelling)

Correct: Their

Usage: Indicates something belongs to a group.
Example: Their dog is over there. (Correct spelling)

To help us remember the usage, here’s a tip: “Their” has the word “heir” in it, which is related to inheritance and ownership, suggesting that something belongs to someone.

Thier vs. Their: Examples

Example 1:

Correct: Their dog is very friendly and loves to play fetch.
Incorrect: Thier dog is very friendly and loves to play fetch.

Example 2:

Correct: They always take their shoes off before entering the house.
Incorrect: They always take thier shoes off before entering the house.

Example 3:

Correct: Their understanding of the subject was evident in their excellent presentation.
Incorrect: Thier understanding of the subject was evident in thier excellent presentation.

Example 4:

Correct: It’s their decision to make, not ours.
Incorrect: It’s thier decision to make, not ours.

Related Confused Words

Their vs. There

Their indicates possession, like something belonging to a group, while there points to a place or location. For instance:

Correct: Their books are on the table.
Incorrect: There books are on the table.

Their vs. They’re

Their is possessive, but they’re is a contraction of “they are.” Here’s how you use them correctly:

Correct: Their car is red.
Incorrect: They’re car is red.
Correct: They’re going to the movies.

Their vs. There’s

“There’s” is shorthand for “there is” or “there has,” and it should not be confused with the possessive their. Examples include:

Correct: Their dog is in the yard.
Incorrect: There’s dog is in the yard.
Correct: There’s been a mistake.

Their vs. Theirs

Both words indicate possession, but theirs cannot be followed by a noun. Their always precedes one. It’s that simple:

Correct: That is their house.
Incorrect: That is theirs house.
Correct: That house is theirs.

About
Latest Posts

Jim Manheim

Jim Manheim is a highly skilled writer, editor, and teacher from Michigan, with a wealth of experience and expertise in the English language, including slang and idioms. He is widely recognized as a word geek and a music enthusiast, as well as a grammar and writing expert, with a passion for language that shines through in his work.