A Study Guide to There, Their, They’re / Your, You’re

by | Jan 11, 2011

 

 

THEY’RE

They’re is a contraction for they are, so you should only use it if you are saying they are (something).

Example:

They’re a shitty band.

It’s the same as saying: They are a shitty band.

 

THEIR

Their is possessive, which means that someone can make it their bitch.  When using their, a noun usually comes after it.  You can check to make sure you are using this spelling of their by trying what I call the Lil Wayne technique. It’s when you act like a rapper and say what! after everything.

Example #1:

I like their band.

How do you know this is the correct (There/Their/They’re) to use?

You say: Their what!?

Then answer the question: Their what? Their band.

 

Example #2:

The way their drummer pounds that wood is impressive.

How do you know this is the correct (There/Their/They’re) to use? 

You say: Their what!?

Then you answer the question: Their what? Their drummer.

 

If you try the Lil Wayne technique with there or they’re, it doesn’t work the same way.

Example:

Their a shitty band.

How do you know this is the correct (There/Their/They’re) to use? 

You say: Their what!?

Then you answer the question: Their a shitty…

See how there isn’t a noun immediately after? In this case, you would know NOT to use their, because it sounds weird and really uneducated.

**An easy way to remember that the Lil Wayne technique is for THEIR, is to remember that the letters H-E-I-R is in the middle of the word. It stands for HE IS RAPPIN’, SON! And Lil Wayne is a rapper.**

 

 

THERE

There is used to indicate a location or place.

Example: I went there to see a band once.

Where did you go? There.

 

It’s also used as a pronoun to begin a sentence.

Example: There was a good opening band at the show last night.

 

Let’s review.

So how do you know whether to use your/you’re? You ask yourself: Am I trying to say you are (something)?  If yes, use you’re. If no, try the Lame Like Poison technique. Ask yourself: Is your (something) lame like Poison? If you can answer with a yes or no, use your.

How do you know which there/their/they’re to use? Ask yourself: Am I trying to say they are (something)? If yes, use they’re. If no, try the Lil Wayne technique. If this technique doesn’t work, you’ll know to use there because it’s the only one left!

Bands and internet users, from here on out there is no reason to ever fuck up There/Their/They’re, Your/You’re when writing. And now back to your iPhones.

Baroness Interview: John Baizley & Peter Adams on the Line Between Yellow & Green

When John Baizley and Peter Adams of Baroness were preteens, they played together in a band called Jab. “We would build stages from two-by-fours and plywood,” guitarist/vocalist Baizley says. “At that point, we hadn’t even seen shows except for...

The Safety Fire Interview: Derya “Dez” Nagle on Setting the Music Scene Ablaze

Just weeks before The Safety Fire’s sophomore album, Mouth Of Swords, came out in September, guitarist Derya “Dez” Nagle was involved in a cycling accident and had to undergo surgery. “Few weeks of rest and all will be well,” he said back in late July about the...