they're

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "they're" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a contraction of "they are" and can be used in any context where you want to indicate that a group of people or things is performing an action or possessing a quality. Example: "They're going to the concert tonight, and I'm excited to join them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're also difficult to treat.

Medical Hypotheses

They're innovative, they're creative.

Cornell University

They're trained, they're organized.

The New York Times

They're bizarre, they're absurd.

The New Yorker

"They're cute, they're sexy and they're femme".

The New York Times

"They're sweet, they're tart, they're juicy.

The New York Times

"They're hard, they're physical, they're gritty.

The New York Times

"They're slippery, they're quick and they're sly".

The New York Times

They're food; they're nutritious".

The New York Times

"They're artistic, they're handy, they're self-starters.

The New York Times - Sports

They're stupid.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they're" as a convenient contraction of "they are" in informal and neutral contexts. Avoid in highly formal writing where clarity and explicitness are paramount.

Common error

Avoid mistaking "they're" (they are) for "their" (possessive) or "there" (location). Double-check the context to ensure you're using the correct word. For example, write "They're going to the park" not "Their going to the park" or "There going to the park".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "they're" is as a contraction of "they are", serving as the subject and verb in a sentence. As Ludwig AI shows, it efficiently combines these elements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they're" is a prevalent and grammatically sound contraction of "they are". As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, though formal writing may benefit from the uncontracted version. Be mindful of its homophones, "their" and "there", to prevent errors. With a very common usage frequency across news, science, and academic domains, "they're" remains a staple in the English language. Remember to choose the form that best suits your audience and the formality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are

Full form of the contraction, providing a more formal tone.

those people are

Specifies the group being referred to, adding clarity.

the individuals are

Formal alternative specifying people, suitable for professional contexts.

the items are

Used when referring to objects or things instead of people.

the aforementioned are

Refers to something previously mentioned, maintaining a formal tone.

these entities are

Suitable when referring to abstract concepts or organizations.

members include

Focuses on inclusion within a group; use when listing participants.

participants consist of

Indicates composition, useful in reports or studies.

elements comprise

Suitable for describing parts of a whole in technical contexts.

components represent

Highlights representation or inclusion within a system.

FAQs

How can I use "they're" in a sentence?

"They're" is a contraction of "they are". For example, "They're going to the store" means "They are going to the store".

What's the difference between "they're", "their", and "there"?

"They're" is a contraction of "they are". "Their" indicates possession, as in "their car". "There" indicates a place, as in "over there".

Is it always appropriate to use "they're" in writing?

While "they're" is acceptable in most informal and neutral writing, it's best to use the full form "they are" in formal contexts, such as academic papers or legal documents.

What are some common mistakes people make with "they're"?

A common mistake is confusing "they're" with its homophones, "their" and "there". Always ensure you're using the correct form based on the context of your sentence.