内容简介

“Their、there” 和 “they're” 的发音完全相同，却是三个完全不同的说法。它们的含义和用法分别是什么？本期 “一分钟英语” 通过日常英语会话中的典型场景来辨析三者之间的区别。

文字稿

Hi, I'm Georgina from BBC Learning English. Do you ever wonder about the difference between their, there and they're?

They are all pronounced the same but have different spellings and are used differently.

Their is used to show plural possession:

It is Phil and Elly's laptop. It is their laptop. It is Georgina and Roy's dog. It is their dog.

There is used to identify something for the first time and is often followed by the verb 'to be'.

There is a cafe near our office, but it's so expensive. There is a bookshop nearby and it has some nice books.

They're has the same meaning as 'they are' and is often followed by an adjective. Where are Sam and Dan? They're late – they're never on time!

用法总结

1. “Their” 是形容词性物主代词，意思是 “他们/她们/它们的”。

• It is Phil and Elly's laptop. It is their laptop.
• It is Georgina and Roy's dog. It is their dog.

2. “There” 的意思是 “在那里”。我们常用 “there + 系动词 be” 来首次指明 “某地有某物/人”。

• There is a cafe near our office, but it's so expensive.
• There is a bookshop nearby and it has some nice books.

3. “They're” 是 “they are” 的缩写，意思是 “他们/她们/它们是……”。“They're” 后面常接形容词。

• Where are Sam and Dan? They're late – they're never on time!