Differences Between “Their and There,” “Its and It’s,” “Whose and Who’s”

Simple grammar examples taken from pop culture

Many people in the digital world make mistakes with their, its, whose, and their homonymous pairs. Still, their differences are not so hard to remember.

For the last two years, I’ve seen the wrong word of each pair in many blog posts, copies, and social media profiles. Unfortunately, this indicates bad writing, even education.

The funny thing is this can be fixed forever in only five minutes.

So, let’s get to the differences. Let’s make it as simple and easy as possible.

The Difference in Their and There

Their — it belongs to them

I haven’t seen those kids recently but I saw their mother yesterday.

It’s strange because their differences are not so hard to remember.

We use their for possession. It is a possessive form of “they,” i.e. a possessive determiner. It states that something belongs to “them” — to children/people/dogs…

“Have you seen the bigger piggies in their starched white shirts? You will find the bigger piggies stirring up the dirt” — The Beatles, “Piggies”

There

1. There is/are

There is something strange about that man.

There is a pronoun. It can be followed by “is” or “are.”

“There are so many things I want to say to you But I don’t know how“ — Oasis, “Wonderwall“

2. There (that place)

- Where are they? - Oh, look. Over there.

We use there to show location. It is also an adverb, meaning “at a particular place.”

“I’ll be there for you (When the rain starts to pour) I’ll be there for you (Like I’ve been there before) I’ll be there for you (’Cause you’re there for me too)” — The Rembrandts, “I’ll be There for You”

The Difference in Its and It’s

Its — belongs to a baby/puppy

That baby lost its toy.

We use its for possession. It is the possessive form of “it,” i.e. a possessive determiner. It states that something belongs to “it” — a child/baby/somebody else’s dog…

It’s — it is

It’s raining outside.

It’s strange because their differences are not so hard to remember.

It’s is the short form of “It is.”

“It’s raining men, hallelujah, it’s raining men, amen” — The Weather Girls, “It’s Raining, Man”

The Difference in Whose and Who’s

Whose — Who does it belong to?

- Whose toy is it? - It belongs to that baby over there.

We use whose to show possession. It is the possessive form of “who,” i.e. a possessive determiner. We use it to ask which person or people something belongs to.

“Whose bed have your boots been under? And whose heart did you steal I wonder?” — Shania Twain, “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under”

Who’s — Who is

Who’s that guy you were talking to?

Who’s is the short form of “who is” or “who has.”

“Okay. If anybody else wants to come with me, this moment will be the moment of something real, and FUN, and inspiring in this god-forsaken business, and we will do it together. Who’s comin’ with me? Who’s coming with me? Who’s coming with me besides “Flipper,” here?” — Tom Cruise in “Jerry Maguire”

To Recap

Their: it belongs to them

There: 1. There is/are 2. at that place

Its : belongs to a baby/puppy

It’s: it is

Whose: Who does it belong to?

Who’s: Who is

Let’s Do a Small Exercise

Find the correct word:

1. My parents forgot about ______ anniversary. (their / there)

2. ______ is this dress on the couch? It’s awesome. (who’s / whose)

3. The kitty was licking ______ paw. (its / it’s)

Now, you try to find an example for each of these:

Their / There

Its / It’s

Whose / Who’s

If you know an example from a movie or a song with “Its,” please write it below the post. I couldn’t find one.

Here’s another post on how to write better: