Thier or Their? Learn the Difference in 2 Minutes With Easy Rules & Examples

“Their” is correct.
“Thier” is a spelling mistake.

👉 Use their when showing possession (something belongs to people).
❌ Avoid thier — it’s not a valid English word.

The Origin of Their

The word “their” comes from Old Norse “þeirra”, meaning “of them.” It entered English during the Viking influence period and gradually replaced Old English possessive forms.

Today, their is a standard possessive determiner used in both formal and informal English.

British English vs American English Spelling

Good news — there’s no difference here.

Variant	Correct Spelling
British English	Their ✅
American English	Their ✅
Incorrect Form	Thier ❌

Unlike words like “colour/color,” “their” is spelled the same globally.

Which Form Should You Use?

Always choose “their.”

Use their when:

• Talking about ownership
• Referring to people, groups, or even singular “they”

Examples:

• Their house is beautiful.
• The students forgot their books.
• Someone left their phone here.

Common Mistakes with Thier or Their

Many learners confuse their with similar-sounding words or misspell it as “thier.”

❌ Frequent Errors:

• Writing thier instead of their
• Confusing with:
  • There (place)
  • They’re (they are)

✅ Quick Fix Tip:

Remember this phrase:
👉 “Heir owns things” → tHEIR = possession

Their in Everyday Examples

Here are practical examples you’ll see daily:

In Conversations:

• They forgot their keys.
• Parents care about their children.

In Work Emails:

• The team submitted their report.
• Employees must update their profiles.

In Social Media:

• People share their opinions online.
• Everyone posts their photos.

Their – Google Trends & Usage Data

• “Their” is one of the most commonly used possessive words in English.
• Misspelling it as “thier” is a frequent typing error.
• Search data shows users often look up:
  • “their vs there”
  • “how to spell their”
  • “is thier correct?”

👉 This highlights the importance of mastering this simple but essential word.

Keyword Variations Comparison Table

Here’s a quick comparison to clear all confusion:

Word	Meaning	Example	Correct?
Their	Possession (belongs to them)	Their car is new	✅
There	Place or position	The book is there	✅
They’re	Contraction of “they are”	They’re happy	✅
Thier	Misspelling of “their”	Thier house	❌

FAQs

Is “thier” ever correct?

No, “thier” is always incorrect.

What is the difference between their and there?

“Their” shows possession, while “there” refers to a place.

Can “their” be used for one person?

Yes, it’s used with singular “they” for gender-neutral language.

Why do people write “thier”?

It’s usually a typing error or confusion with spelling patterns.

Thier or Their – Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Choose the correct word (their or thier):

1. The kids lost ___ toys.
2. ___ house is on the corner.
3. People should respect ___ elders.
4. The players wore ___ uniforms proudly.

✅ Answers:

1. their
2. their
3. their
4. their

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Word

1. (Their / Thier) car broke down.
2. The students completed (their / thier) homework.
3. (Thier / Their) performance was amazing.

✅ Answers:

1. Their
2. their
3. Their

Conclusion

Mastering “their” vs “thier” is simple:
👉 “Their” is always correct — “thier” is always wrong.

By remembering that their shows possession, you can avoid one of the most common spelling mistakes in English. With just a little practice, you’ll use it confidently in writing, emails, and everyday communication.