their
gb/ðˈɛɹ/ us/ðˈɛɹ/
A1
English
~ 100
Senses
0 senses
pronoun
A1
relation
1
belonging to them
Shows that something belongs to the people, animals, or things talked about.
Usage pattern:
their [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'their' with 'there' (place) or 'they're' (they are).
Synonyms
our (Refers to something belonging to both the speaker and others, not just others.)
|
his/her (Refers to something belonging to one person, not several.)
Antonyms
my (Refers to something belonging to the speaker, not other people.)
Collocations
their house
|their car
|their children
|their friends
|their jobs
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I saw their dog playing in the park.
- They invited me to their wedding next month.
- The children forgot their homework at home.
- Their opinions on the matter differ.
- I borrowed their umbrella because it was raining.
Learner examples
- This is their book.
- Their car is very fast.
- I like their house.
- The children are playing with their toys.
pronoun
B1
relation
2
belonging to one person (gender-neutral)
Shows that something belongs to one person when we do not know if they are male or female.
Usage pattern:
their [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'their' can only be used for more than one person, but it is also common for one person when gender is unknown.
Synonyms
his/her (Traditional alternative but explicitly gendered.)
Antonyms
my (Refers to possession by the speaker instead of another person.)
Collocations
their name
|their phone
|their opinion
Themes
communication
|gender
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- If someone calls, take their message.
- Every student should bring their ID card.
- Ask the driver for their license.
Learner examples
- Tell the student their bag is here.
- Each person must write their name.
- The teacher gave each child their paper.
Grammar
Dictionary form
their
IPA
GB/ðˈɛɹ/
US/ðˈɛɹ/
Syllables & stress
their (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (their)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: their
- Plural: theirs
Word family
Forms
theirs
noun A2
Core family
they
pronoun A1
them
pronoun A1
Related words
themselves
pronoun A2
Advanced or less common
themself
pronoun B2
Expressions
in their own right
1/ˈɪn ðˈɛɹ ˈoʊn ɹˈaɪt/
fixed phrase
having value independently
Having importance or success because of yourself, not because of someone else.
Examples
- She is a talented artist in her own right.
- He became famous in his own right, not just as the son of a politician.
their own
1/ðˈɛɹ ˈoʊn/
fixed phrase
belonging only to them
Something that belongs only to those people or things.
Examples
- They have their own room in the house.
- Each student must bring their own lunch.