Using pronouns correctly can be a tricky business, especially if English is not your first language. One such pronoun that you may come across is 'their'. In this article, we'll look at how you can use 'their' correctly in a sentence.
'Their' is a pronoun that is used to refer to the possession of something by multiple people. It is the third-person plural possessive pronoun, meaning that it is used to refer to more than one person or thing and indicate that they own or possess something.
Now that we know what 'their' is, it's important to understand how to use it correctly in a sentence. Here are some examples:
Example 1: The students forgot their textbooks at home.
Example 2: The couple enjoyed their vacation in Hawaii.
Example 3: The dogs wagged their tails excitedly.
In each of these examples, 'their' is used to indicate that more than one person or thing possesses something. It's worth noting that 'their' can also be used as a singular pronoun when the gender of the person or thing is unknown or if you want to be gender-neutral.
Example 4: Someone left their jacket in the office.
In this example, 'their' is used to refer to a singular person whose gender is unknown or irrelevant.
One common mistake people make when using 'their' is to use it as a substitute for 'they are'. For example:
Mistake: Their going to the movies tonight.
Correction: They're going to the movies tonight.
Another mistake is to use 'their' when referring to a singular person. For example:
Mistake: The teacher forgot their lesson plan.
Correction: The teacher forgot his or her lesson plan or The teacher forgot the lesson plan.
'Their' is a useful pronoun when used correctly in a sentence. It can be used to indicate possession by more than one person or thing and can also be used as a singular pronoun in certain circumstances. By keeping these rules in mind and avoiding common mistakes, you'll be able to use 'their' with confidence in your writing.
