Their vs. there vs. they're

I don't understand how people mix those words up either, especially when we consider the fact that "they're" is not even PRONOUNCED the same as the other two. "They're" is a TWO-SYLLABLE word that rhymes precisely with "player", while the other two have ONE SYLLABLE each and rhyme precisely with "pair". What part of that don't people understand?

Also, the word "they're" obviously has a verb in it while the other two do not. What part of that don't people understand?

As for the word "there", it is totally unrelated to the other words, so how can anybody confuse it with them? "There" is not a "they" word by any stretch of the imagination. What part of that don't people understand?

There really is no excuse for not knowing something they should have learned before they were ten years old.

It's not a given that just because someone is a native speaker of a language, especially English, they're better at it. A lot of spoken English is not even grammatically correct, a lot of it is bastardised into slang and other forms that is supposed to sound cool and hip.
A lot of non native speakers who put in the time and effort tend to be better at the grammar because they learn it properly.

There their they're now 🤭

You would be a good teacher. We taught by rote and were pulled up about grammar and spelling. Tidiness mattered as well.

I agree!!! It’s appalling how many native English speakers are so poor at grammar.
The misuse of the apostrophe drives me nuts - it’s really not difficult and I don’t get why people find it so hard to use it properly.
I’ve even seen public advertisements with the apostrophe used wrongly. Makes me want to use red spray paint to correct it! 😂

I have to agree. That's really something everyone should know. It disgusts me when I see advertisements or billboards with misspelled words. There's no excuse for it.

I agree. While we are on English usage, though, please don't use the expression "grammar Nazi"! I know it is an expression that people use but it really is not appropriate or funny. Merci!

With no disrespect to the author, truly, this must me the single most inane point of discussion that Millennials continue to revisit.

Absolutely agree, Raluca. Apostrophes in the wrong places annoy the hell out me!

I've the same issue Your and You're. I think that part of the issue is that most people rely on auto correct and spell check too much. And since they don't check to see what auto correct decided to put in when they mistyped it and since it doesn't get the squiggly red line under it for misspelling they don't even notice what happened. I sometimes forget to double check my texts when I write "Your". For some reason my finger often misses the "r" but because "YOU" is still correct it doesn't highlight it.

The boat over there is their boat, and they’re going to take me fishing next week.

Put the book over there next to their shelves because they’re going to put the books in order.

There is no way I could know it was their paint or that they’re really not into sharing.

It was always their plan to go to the beach over there because they’re big fans of that spot.


There is always another opportunity to get on their good side, they’re very flexible.

Another one that people mess up which drives me crazy:

Must of vs. Must have

Literally the worst

The difference is that, we (I am a non-native speaker too) educate & train ourselves in the language. As we become better at it, we also learn the nuances & try to get better at it.

However, that being said, not all of the natives are educated. So, it is but natural to have some of them make mistakes. And even the educated make mistakes because, I feel, if you haven't slogged your skin off for it, you are not going to realize the value of it. Since native speakers (quite a few) never really had to break a sweat to learn the language, they never care much for the correctness .

But did you notice (or do you feel) the native speakers of English try to refrain from speaking profanity in a professional environment, while the non-natives sometimes do take the liberty to do it?

Even if you understand the difference, it’s still possible to slip up, especially when typing.

Yes! It blows my mind how many misuse there/their/they’re. Also my other pet peeve and maybe even more is then/than!!

Happens all the time, same as its and it's and birth and berth (I've got a 4 birth camper - wow have you really!?) More than one !, that's the point of the punctuation, you only need one!

What about all the kids now not using her or she but using pronouns like they or them. Makes it even more confusing

I so agreed with you.
And, thank you for using good grammar. I appreciate it more than you know.

I can't stand it when us Americans butcher their language:)

I appreciate your posting this comment and consider it very appropriate.

Many native speakers in America don't seem to brush up much on their grammar and vocab, it seems to me. I don't know the statistics exactly, of course. But yeah, they seem to take it much lighter than those who secondary language is English. Comes with the comfort and complacence of being able to speak it naturally, I suppose.

You do seem like a grammar nazi 🤭, but you’re absolutely right!

You know ( not no ) their Just Not caring whether ( not weather ) you know THEIR not THERE given They're not over here Either

They just want to Know ( not no. )
If You can See the C down by the Sea

Through why when the guy at the Carnival bet a Dollar
On Numbers 7...8...9...and 10

Why did 10 win ??

It's a bit annoying for us native speakers, as well.

you should never judge someone on how they speak

where were wear we're haha
enjoy it

You’re right. Drives me nuts too

Most of my more youthful countrymen, were ill educated. at best
they breezed through schools that were more interested in graduation statistics
than teaching. They tend to read nothing longer than a paragraph.
They never have a second language

I totally agree with you... but there are rules I have forgotten a long time ago and too lazy to research the correct way... e.g learned vs learnt

Yes!

And don't forget about "you're" and "your". I see that a lot!
Like you, I'm not a native speaker, but my English is better than many Americans and Brits I see here. Lol

In pronouncing out, how many day are?

I don't want to be forward, but if that is your image as your profile photo, you are not just me intelligent,byou are gorgeous!

When writing a long as message sometime predictive text chooses the wrong word and you don’t realise and miss it. Happens to me all the time.

I have to laugh at this, because I'm guilty of that when I read a post. Not that I'm judging, I've slipped up a few times but, I understand the differences.

🤔.......Some people are just bad at grammar and now when you voice text a message, if the wrong their/there comes up, people don't care and just send the message anyway......

That is completely understandable. You have worked very hard, native speakers should put in an equal amount of effort ❤️

It's lazy typing and auto correct that's more the issue
Most don't proofread before sending and won't fix regardless

I'm not sure if it's careless with the spelling or ignorance... Plus i guess you can throw in autocorrect 🤔

Its my only language and ill type wrong not because i don't know but because I'm a lazy typer

Very well said...
... yes... native speakers of English, since it's a global language... can be very lazy.

It's easy to make mistakes... And bloody auto correct doesn't help either🤣

I'm a lazy typist
Unless it's a formal document
If my point is made i don't care

Love this, I have been guilty of using incorrect grammar.

Welcome to the American education system.
🥺

my English sucks I failed English class I only know street English

Well
Perhaps First...
I should ask.....
By chance..did You .....See the "C" by the Sea ??

Did you study English in school only or even after?

I still struggle after 60 years learning it

I love your post! That drives me crazy too.