Theirs is the correct possessive pronoun, while their’s is always incorrect in standard English.
I still remember when I wrote their’s house in a blog and someone corrected me it felt embarrassing 😅. Many people search their’s or theirs because apostrophes in English are confusing, especially with possessive words.
This article will clear the confusion, explain the rules, and help you use theirs correctly in writing and speaking.
Their’s or Theirs : Quick Answer
Theirs = correct possessive pronoun (means something belongs to them).
Their’s = incorrect spelling (never used in proper English).
Examples:
- This book is theirs.
- The responsibility is theirs, not ours.
❌ Their’s car is parked outside.
✅ Their car is parked outside.
How to Use “Theirs” Correctly in Sentences
If you’re wondering how to use theirs, the rule is simple: use it when the noun is already understood.
For example:
- This is theirs.
- That is theirs.
- It is theirs, not ours.
- This is theirs, and they deserve it.
Many learners ask “when to use theirs” or “sentence with theirs”, and the answer is always the same use it as a replacement for a noun.
You might also see searches like:
- sentence using theirs
- theirs examples
- sentences with theirs
- theirs sentence
All of these point to one rule:
👉 “Theirs” replaces a noun to avoid repetition.
For instance:
- Their house is big → The house is theirs
- Their idea was better → The idea was theirs
People also search “that is theirs”, “this is theirs”, or “it was theirs”, which are all correct uses.
The Origin of Their’s and Theirs
The word their comes from Old Norse þeira, meaning “of them.”
Over time, English created possessive forms:
- their (possessive adjective)
- theirs (possessive pronoun)
Unlike many nouns, possessive pronouns do not use apostrophes.
That is why theirs, yours, hers, ours, its never take an apostrophe.
People mistakenly add ’s because they think it shows possession, but in pronouns, it does not work that way.
Theirs Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation
If you’re looking for theirs meaning or definition of theirs, here’s a simple explanation:
👉 Theirs means “belonging to them.”
It is a possessive pronoun used when the noun is already known.
People often search:
- what is theirs
- theirs definition
- meaning of theirs
- theirs means
- what does theirs mean
All of these refer to the same concept: ownership.
Pronunciation
Many learners also ask:
- how to pronounce theirs
- theirs pronunciation
👉 It is pronounced as: /ðerz/ (like “there’s”).
This is why people confuse:
- theirs vs there’s
- theirs or there’s
Even though they sound similar, their meanings are completely different.
Grammar Role
If you’re wondering:
- is theirs a pronoun
- is theirs a possessive pronoun
- is theirs a noun
👉 The correct answer is:
✔ It is a possessive pronoun
❌ Not a noun
British English vs American English Spelling
There is no difference between British and American English for this word.
| Form | British English | American English | Meaning |
| their | ✔ | ✔ | possessive adjective |
| theirs | ✔ | ✔ | possessive pronoun |
| their’s | ✖ | ✖ | incorrect form |
Important: Both US and UK follow the same grammar rule.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
🇺🇸 For American audience
Always use theirs when something belongs to them.
🇬🇧 For UK/Commonwealth audience
Use theirs (same rule).
🌍 For global audience
Use theirs to sound professional and grammatically correct.
Never use their’s in formal or informal writing.
Common Mistakes with Their’s or Theirs
Typing Error
❌ Their’s house is beautiful.
✅ Their house is beautiful.
Using Apostrophe Incorrectly
❌ The car is their’s.
✅ The car is theirs.
Confusing Their and Theirs
❌ This is their.
✅ This is theirs.
Thinking ’s Always Means Possession
❌ The decision is their’s.
✅ The decision is theirs.
Copying Incorrect Online Usage
❌ Many blogs use their’s incorrectly.
✅ Good writers always use theirs.
Theirs or Their’s in Everyday Examples
📧 Emails
- This project is theirs, not ours.
- The documents are theirs, so ask them.
📰 News
- The victory was theirs after a long struggle.
- The responsibility is theirs, officials said.
📱 Social Media
- The credit is theirs, not mine.
- That idea is theirs, and it’s amazing.
🧾 Formal Writing
- The final decision was theirs.
- The rights are theirs under the agreement.
Their’s or Theirs : Google Trends & Usage Data
People search their’s or theirs because:
- Apostrophe rules confuse learners
- Autocorrect sometimes suggests wrong forms
- Many social media posts use incorrect spelling
Search interest is high in:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- India
- Pakistan
- Australia
Common contexts:
- Academic writing
- Blogging and content creation
- Grammar learning
- School assignments
Professional writers always use theirs, while their’s is a common learner mistake.
Common Search Variations and Misspellings of “Theirs”
Many users search for incorrect or unusual variations of “theirs” due to confusion or typing mistakes.
For example, you might see searches like:
- theirsn
- t h e i r s
- theirs.
- theirs no
- spell theirs
- how to spell theirs
All of these refer to the correct word: theirs
Some users also type incomplete or confusing phrases like:
- their our
- their selves
- their ste
- their f
- theirs me
- it theirs meaning
- is their s
👉 These are not grammatically correct, but they show how people struggle with possessive pronouns.
There are also comparison-style searches such as:
- theirs or theirs
- theirs or theirs’
- theirs their
- theirs and their
- their theirs
- theirs and ours
👉 In all cases, the correct standard form remains theirs.
Global Language Searches
Some users search for meanings in other languages:
- theirs 뜻 (Korean)
- theirs traduction (French)
- theirs tradução (Portuguese)
- theirs in spanish
👉 In every language, “theirs” still represents ownership or belonging to them.
Comparison Table: Their vs Theirs vs Their’s
| Word | Correct? | Type | Example |
| their | ✔ | possessive adjective | Their house is big |
| theirs | ✔ | possessive pronoun | The house is theirs |
| their’s | ✖ | incorrect | ❌ Their’s house |
Does “Theirs” Need an Apostrophe?
One of the most searched questions is:
👉 does theirs have an apostrophe?
The answer is simple: No, theirs never needs an apostrophe.
Many people search:
- does theirs need an apostrophe
- should theirs have an apostrophe
- theirs apostrophe
- is their’s correct
But in standard English:
❌ their’s → incorrect
✅ theirs → correct
This confusion happens because people think ’s always shows possession, but that rule does NOT apply to pronouns.
That’s why:
- yours ✔
- hers ✔
- ours ✔
- its ✔
- theirs ✔
You may also come across incorrect variations like:
- theirs’
- theirs’
- theirs’s
👉 All of these are grammatically wrong.
If you’re asking “is theirs correct” or “is theirs a word”, the answer is YES and it is always written without an apostrophe.
Additional Usage and Grammar Insights for “Theirs”
Some learners also explore deeper grammar and usage questions related to “theirs.”
For example:
- theirs vs their and their and theirs both highlight a common confusion.
👉 “Their” is used before a noun, while “theirs” replaces the noun. - Many users ask about their’s meaning, but the truth is that this form has no valid meaning in standard English.
- You may also see phrases like:
- of theirs (e.g., a friend of theirs)
- all theirs (e.g., the credit is all theirs)
- theirs is (e.g., theirs is better than ours)
👉 These are all correct and natural uses.
Grammar Clarifications
- Is theirs plural?
👉 Theirs can refer to one or more people, so it works as both singular and plural depending on context. - Is theirs possessive?
👉 Yes, theirs is a possessive pronoun. - Is there a synonym for theirs?
👉 Not exact, but phrases like belonging to them can express the same idea.
Common Confusions
Some people also mix:
- theirs and there’s
- theirs vs there’s
👉 Even though they sound the same, their meanings are completely different.
You might also find incomplete or unusual searches like:
- with theirs
- theirs no
👉 These are not grammatically correct on their own, but they show how people try to understand usage patterns.
FAQs About Their’s or Theirs
1. Is “their’s” ever correct?
No, their’s is never correct in standard English.
2. When should I use “theirs”?
Use theirs when you mean something belongs to them, without naming the object again.
3. What is the difference between their and theirs?
- Their = comes before a noun (their book).
- Theirs = replaces the noun (the book is theirs).
4. Why doesn’t “theirs” have an apostrophe?
Possessive pronouns do not use apostrophes in English grammar.
5. Is theirs singular or plural?
Theirs can refer to one or many people, depending on context.
6. Can I use theirs in formal writing?
Yes, it is correct in formal, academic, and professional writing.
7. Is theirs pronounced differently from their’s?
No, they sound the same, which causes confusion.
Conclusion
Understanding their’s or theirs is easy once you learn one simple rule: possessive pronouns never use apostrophes. The correct word is theirs, and their’s is always wrong. I used to make this mistake too, especially when writing quickly, but remembering that their shows ownership before a noun and theirs replaces the noun helped me fix it forever.
Using the correct form makes your writing clear, professional, and trustworthy. If you want to sound fluent and confident in English, always use theirs and avoid their’s completely. This small grammar rule can make a big difference in how polished your writing looks.
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My name is Antonia White, and I’m an English writer who enjoys crafting thoughtful and engaging stories. I focus on clarity and depth in my writing, aiming to connect with readers through meaningful ideas and a genuine, approachable style.
