Many English writers get confused between theirs or there’s. Both words sound similar, but their meanings and usage are completely different.
Misusing them can change the meaning of a sentence, make writing unclear, or even seem unprofessional.
This confusion is especially common in emails, social media posts, and academic writing.
People search for theirs or there’s because they want a quick and clear answer.
Many learners struggle with possessive pronouns versus contractions, and English has several tricky examples like this.
Understanding the difference helps in proper grammar, clearer communication, and avoiding common mistakes in both casual and formal writing.
This article will explain the difference in detail. You will get a quick answer, learn the origin of both words, see British and American English usage, explore common mistakes, and find real-life examples.
By the end, you will confidently know when to use theirs and when to use there’s.
Theirs or There’s – Quick Answer
Theirs and there’s serve different purposes in English:
- Theirs → possessive pronoun indicating ownership
- There’s → contraction of there is or there has
Examples
- That book is theirs. (ownership)
- There’s a problem with the report. (contraction of there is)
- There’s been a delay in delivery. (contraction of there has)
Remember: theirs = possession, there’s = contraction.
The Origin of Theirs or There’s
Theirs
- Comes from Old English þǣra meaning of them
- Developed as a possessive pronoun used for ownership
There’s
- A modern contraction of there is or there has
- Contractions became popular in English in the 16th and 17th centuries
- Often used for smoother, faster spoken or written English
The spelling difference exists because one shows possession (theirs) and the other shortens two words (there’s) into a single contraction.
British English vs American English Spelling
Both theirs and there’s are spelled the same in British and American English. The difference lies only in usage style:
Key Points
- Theirs → always possessive
- There’s → contraction; same in US and UK
Comparison Table
| Word | British English | American English | Usage |
| theirs | theirs | theirs | Possessive pronoun |
| there’s | there’s | there’s | Contraction (there is / there has) |
There is no regional spelling difference.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Choose based on meaning and context.
Use theirs if:
- You indicate ownership
- Talking about something that belongs to someone
Example:
The car is theirs.
Use there’s if:
- You mean there is
- You mean there has in present perfect
Examples:
- There’s a problem with the software.
- There’s been a misunderstanding.
Professional Tip
Always check if you are showing ownership or forming a contraction.
Common Mistakes with Theirs or There’s
Using there’s instead of theirs
- The book is there’s.
✔ The book is theirs.
Using theirs for contraction
- Theirs a problem in the report.
✔ There’s a problem in the report.
Apostrophe mistakes
- Their’s is incorrect
- Correct: theirs
Mixing in formal writing
- Avoid contractions like there’s in very formal or legal writing; use there is/has instead
Theirs or There’s in Everyday Examples
Emails
- The documents are theirs, please return them.
- There’s a meeting scheduled at 10 AM.
News Writing
- The victory was theirs.
- There’s been a change in the schedule.
Social Media
- That cute dog is theirs 🐶
- There’s so much to do today!
Formal Writing
- The responsibility is theirs.
- There is / There has been an error in the report.
Theirs or There’s – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search data shows theirs or there’s is a common query for ESL learners and students.
Usage Patterns
- Theirs → essays, ownership contexts, grammar checks
- There’s → casual writing, emails, social media, and contractions
By Country
- USA & UK → high searches for grammar clarity
- Global → learners want clear rules for usage in writing
Theirs vs There’s Comparison Table
| Word | Type | Meaning | Example |
| theirs | Possessive pronoun | Indicates ownership | The house is theirs. |
| there’s | Contraction | There is / There has | There’s a problem. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use there’s instead of theirs?
No. They serve different purposes: possession vs contraction.
2. Is theirs always plural?
No. It refers to singular or plural ownership; it depends on the object possessed.
3. Can there’s mean there has?
Yes. There’s been a delay = There has been a delay.
4. Is their’s correct?
No. The correct possessive is theirs without an apostrophe.
5. Which is common in casual writing?
There’s is common in informal writing; theirs is neutral.
6. Can theirs and there’s appear in the same sentence?
Yes. The red folder is theirs, and there’s a note inside.
7. Easy way to remember?
Theirs = ownership, There’s = contraction (is/has).
Conclusion
The difference between theirs or there’s is crucial for clear writing. Theirs shows ownership, while there’s is a contraction of there is or there has.
Misusing them can confuse readers or make your writing look unprofessional.
Both words are spelled the same in British and American English.
The key is understanding the meaning and context: possession → theirs, contraction → there’s. By remembering these rules and practicing examples, you can confidently use both words in emails, articles, essays, social media posts, and formal writing.
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Hi, I’m Ethan Hawkesley. I love writing and exploring the English language. On Thinkoora.com, I share tips, insights, and explanations to help readers understand words and writing more easily.
