If you’ve ever wondered if “theirs” or “there’s” is the correct word, you’re not alone. These two words sound alike but have completely different meanings and grammatical functions.
Theirs is a possessive pronoun that shows ownership, while there’s is a contraction of there is or there has.
Understanding the difference between theirs vs there’s will help you avoid one of the most common English grammar mistakes.
Quick Answer
- Theirs = Belonging to them.
- There’s = Contraction of there is or there has.
Correct Examples
- The blue car is theirs.
- There’s a new restaurant nearby.
What Does “Theirs” Mean?
Theirs is a possessive pronoun.
It shows that something belongs to them.
Unlike their, theirs stands alone and does not need a noun after it.
Examples of Theirs in Sentences
- That house is theirs.
- The final decision was theirs.
- These books are theirs.
- The victory was entirely theirs.
- The larger office is theirs now.
What Does “There’s” Mean?
There’s is a contraction of:
- there is
- there has
It is used to introduce the existence of something or to indicate that something has happened.
Examples of There’s in Sentences
- There’s a message waiting for you.
- There’s no reason to worry.
- There’s been a change in the schedule.
- There’s plenty of food left.
- There’s someone at the door.
Note: In formal writing, use there are for plural nouns (e.g., There are two books on the table), although there’s is often heard before plural nouns in casual speech.
Theirs vs There’s Comparison Table
| Feature | Theirs | There’s |
|---|---|---|
| Part of speech | Possessive pronoun | Contraction |
| Shows ownership | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Means “there is” | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Means “there has” | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Standard English | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Word Comparison
When to Use Theirs
Use theirs when referring to something that belongs to them.
Examples
- The red backpacks are theirs.
- This success is theirs to celebrate.
- The choice is theirs.
When to Use There’s
Use there’s when you mean:
- there is
- there has
Examples
- There’s a problem with the printer.
- There’s been a misunderstanding.
- There’s nothing left to discuss.
Common Mistakes
Using There’s Instead of Theirs
Incorrect:
- The blue bicycles are there’s.
Correct:
- The blue bicycles are theirs.
Using Theirs Instead of There’s
Incorrect:
- Theirs a cat in the garden.
Correct:
- There’s a cat in the garden.
Common Phrases
Theirs
- the choice is theirs
- the victory is theirs
- that’s theirs
- entirely theirs
- yours and theirs
There’s
- there’s no doubt
- there’s nothing
- there’s a chance
- there’s been
- there’s always
Synonyms
Synonyms for Theirs
- belonging to them
- owned by them
Synonyms for There’s
- there is
- there has
American vs British English Differences
There is no significant difference.
Both American and British English use theirs and there’s according to the same grammar rules.
Why Correct Word Choice Matters
Using the correct word helps:
- improve grammatical accuracy
- avoid confusion
- strengthen professional writing
- communicate ownership and meaning clearly
Because theirs and there’s are homophones (words that sound alike), they are frequently confused in writing.
Tips to Remember the Difference
Theirs = Ownership
If you can replace the word with belongs to them, use theirs.
Example:
- The backpacks are theirs.
There’s = There Is / There Has
If you can expand it to there is or there has, use there’s.
Example:
- There’s a solution. → There is a solution.
Easy Memory Trick
- Theirs = Belongs to them
- There’s = There is / There has
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between theirs and there’s?
Theirs is a possessive pronoun meaning belonging to them, while there’s is a contraction of there is or there has.
Which is correct: “the book is theirs” or “the book is there’s”?
The correct sentence is:
- The book is theirs.
Can there’s mean “there are”?
In informal speech, some people say there’s before plural nouns, but in formal English, use there are.
Example:
- There are three chairs in the room.
Is theirs followed by a noun?
No. Theirs stands alone as a possessive pronoun.
Correct:
- The jackets are theirs.
Incorrect:
- Theirs jackets ❌
Can I expand there’s?
Yes. Replace there’s with there is or there has to check if it’s correct.
Is there a difference between British and American English?
No. Both use theirs and there’s in the same way.
How can I remember the difference?
Think:
- Theirs = Ownership
- There’s = There is / There has
Final Summary
The difference between theirs vs there’s is straightforward. Theirs shows ownership, while there’s is a contraction meaning there is or there has.
Whenever you’re talking about something that belongs to them, use theirs. If you mean there is or there has, use there’s.
Actionable Takeaway
Use:
- theirs ✅ to show ownership.
- there’s ✅ when you mean there is or there has.
Memory trick:
- Theirs = Belongs to them
- There’s = There is / There has
