How to spell their dog? - briefly
To spell "their" correctly in reference to a dog, remember that "their" indicates possession or association with the dog. For example, "Their dog is very friendly."
How to spell their dog? - in detail
To determine how to spell "their dog," it is essential first to understand the context in which the phrase is used and the specific language conventions that apply.
The spelling of the word "their" depends on whether it is being used as a possessive adjective or a possessive pronoun. When "their" is used as a possessive adjective, it modifies a noun directly and does not take an apostrophe. For example:
- The children are playing with their dog.
In this case, "their" is used to indicate that the dog belongs to the children. No apostrophe is required because "their" is functioning as a possessive adjective.
On the other hand, if "their" is being used as a possessive pronoun, it stands alone and replaces a noun. In this scenario, an apostrophe is added to indicate possession. For example:
- The dog is theirs.
Here, "theirs" is a possessive pronoun that means the dog belongs to them. The apostrophe indicates that "their" is functioning as a possessive pronoun.
Additionally, it's important to note that when "their" is used in conjunction with another noun, such as "dog," the spelling remains unchanged because "their" is still acting as a possessive adjective. Therefore, "their dog" should always be written without an apostrophe.
In summary, to spell "their dog" correctly:
- Use "their" without an apostrophe when it precedes and modifies the noun "dog."
- Ensure that the phrase accurately reflects the intended meaning by confirming whether "their" is being used as a possessive adjective or pronoun.