Kristy Taylor

There is a place or location (whether real or theoretical).

Their is the possessive form of them/they.

They’re is a contraction of they are.

See how easy that was, yet so many people still get these words mixed up. And these three little words sound exactly the same, which is part of the problem.

Now let’s look at them in some sentences so we can see why they are different:

• He left his books over there.
• Their ice-creams melted in the hot sun.
• They’re going to be late if they don’t hurry up.

Here are a few little tricks you can try that should help you to remember the differences:

• If you can replace there with here, then you need to use there.
• If you can replace their with his, our or my, then you need to use their.
• If you can replace they’re with they are, then you need to use they’re.

The example below shows all three words used in one sentence: 

Their dog threw up in the garden over there where they’re about to plant some tomatoes. 

In most cases if you have ruled out their and they’re you probably need there.

© Kristy Taylor 2008

Since the 14th century people have been getting confused when using lay and lie. Just what is the difference between these two words and why do we always get them mixed up?

To lay or to lie, that is the question (as Shakespeare might say, or ask). One of the main reasons we get these wrong is because we get them confused with their past tense versions.

The past tense of lay is laid, and the past tense of lie is lay—hence the confusion. (Note: never use layed, the correct spelling is laid.)

Remember that lay means ‘to put or place’ and lie means ‘to rest or recline’.

Present tense example:
You lay your book on the desk, and it will lie there until you pick it up again.

Past tense example:
Yesterday he laid his book on the desk, and it lay there until he picked it up.

A handy mnemonic:
Lay is tr(a)nsitive – a verb that takes an object. Ask yourself: lay what down?
Lie is (i)ntransitive – a verb that doesn’t need an object. Tell yourself: it’s already down.

If you’re still having trouble remembering which one to use, try replacing lay/lie with the word ‘place’. If the sentence sounds right with the word ‘place’ then you need to use lay, if not, use lie.

© Kristy Taylor 2008