In email writing, the correct choice between “their” and “there” depends entirely on meaning. Use “their” to show possession by a group or person (e.g., “I received their report yesterday”). Use “there” to refer to a place, a point in a process, or to introduce a situation (e.g., “There is a meeting at 3 PM” or “Please check there for the attachment”). Mixing them up is one of the most common errors in professional email, and it can confuse your reader or make you seem careless.

Quick Answer

Their = belonging to them. There = a place, an existence, or a point in a conversation. In emails, if you can replace the word with “our” or “my” and the sentence still makes sense, use “their.” If you can replace it with “here” or “that place,” use “there.” If you are introducing a fact or situation (e.g., “There are three options”), use “there.”

Understanding the Difference in Email Context

Email writing often mixes formal and informal tones, and the choice between “their” and “there” is not about tone—it is about grammar. However, the context of an email can help you decide which word fits. For example, in a formal business email, you might write: “We appreciate their prompt response.” In a more casual internal message, you might say: “There is a typo in the draft.” Both are correct, but they serve different functions.

Their: Possession and Group Ownership

“Their” is a possessive adjective. It always modifies a noun and tells you that something belongs to a group of people, a company, or an individual when the gender is unknown or non-binary. In emails, you use “their” to refer to:

• A team or department: “Their feedback was very helpful.”
• A company: “We are waiting for their approval.”
• A single person (gender-neutral): “The candidate submitted their resume.”

There: Place, Existence, or Introduction

“There” has three main uses in email writing:

• Place or location: “The file is saved there.”
• Existence or occurrence: “There are two errors in the document.”
• Introduction of a point: “There is one more thing I want to mention.”

Comparison Table: Their vs. There in Emails

Natural Examples in Email Context

Here are realistic email sentences that show how “their” and “there” work in everyday writing:

• Formal email to a client: “We have reviewed their proposal and will respond by Friday.”
• Internal team message: “There is a typo in the subject line. Please fix it.”
• Follow-up email: “I checked their website, but the contact form is not working.”
• Instruction in an email: “Please look there for the updated schedule.”
• Status update: “There seems to be a misunderstanding about the deadline.”
• Request for action: “Can you confirm their attendance by noon?”

Common Mistakes with Their and There in Emails

Even experienced writers make these errors. Here are the most frequent ones and how to fix them:

• Mistake: “Please find there contact details below.”
  Correction: “Please find their contact details below.” (Possession)
• Mistake: “Their is a meeting scheduled for 2 PM.”
  Correction: “There is a meeting scheduled for 2 PM.” (Existence)
• Mistake: “I left the document over their.”
  Correction: “I left the document over there.” (Place)
• Mistake: “We need to discuss there concerns.”
  Correction: “We need to discuss their concerns.” (Possession)

Better Alternatives and When to Use Them

While “their” and “there” are correct in many situations, sometimes a clearer word can improve your email. Consider these alternatives:

• Instead of “their”: Use the specific group name for clarity. Example: Instead of “I forwarded their email,” write “I forwarded the client’s email.”
• Instead of “there” (place): Use “in that folder,” “on the server,” or “at that location.” Example: Instead of “The file is there,” write “The file is in the shared drive.”
• Instead of “there” (existence): Use “we have” or “you will find.” Example: Instead of “There are two options,” write “We have two options.”

When to use “their”: Always use it when you mean possession. It is the standard choice in both formal and informal emails.
When to use “there”: Use it to point to a location or to introduce a fact. Avoid overusing “there is/are” in formal writing—it can make sentences wordy.

Mini Practice: Their or There?

Choose the correct word for each sentence. Answers are below.

1. Please confirm _______ availability for the call.
2. _______ is a typo in the second paragraph.
3. The signed contract is over _______.
4. We appreciate _______ quick response to the query.

Answers:

1. their (possession – their availability)
2. There (existence – there is a typo)
3. there (place – over there)
4. their (possession – their quick response)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can “their” be used for a single person in an email?

Yes. In modern English, “their” is commonly used as a gender-neutral singular pronoun. For example: “Each team member should submit their report by Friday.” This is widely accepted in both formal and informal emails.

2. Is it ever correct to use “there” to mean “their”?

No. “There” and “their” are never interchangeable. They have completely different meanings. Using “there” when you mean “their” is a grammatical error that can confuse your reader.

3. How can I check my email for these mistakes quickly?

Read your email aloud. If you mean “belonging to them,” use “their.” If you mean “that place” or “it exists,” use “there.” You can also use your email client’s spell checker, but it may not catch context errors.

4. Does the formality of the email affect which word to use?

No. Both “their” and “there” are standard English words used in all levels of formality. The choice depends on meaning, not tone. However, in very formal emails, you might rephrase sentences that start with “There is/are” to sound more direct (e.g., “We have three options” instead of “There are three options”).

For more help with similar word pairs, explore our Writing and Email Differences guides. If you have questions about this topic, visit our FAQ page or contact us. To understand how we ensure accuracy, see our Editorial Policy.