Garner’s Usage Tip of the Day: there.

there. “There” for “they’re” or “their” is an embarrassing confusion of homophones. It’s the type of solecism one expects from a grade-school student, not from a professional writer or editor. But it is a common inadvertence in journalism — e.g.: o “And that’s where these radio stations are really missing the boat, because there [read ‘they’re’] missing the folks who hold the purse strings to all the disposable income.” Brad Tooley, “Canyon Views,” Canyon News, 13 Jan. 1994, at 1, 2. o “Many market observers expect to see lesser quantities of fuel oil purchased with each transaction as buyers keep there [read ‘their’] inventories low.” Alan Herbst, “Tight Supplies Support U.S. Atlantic Residual Markets,” Platt’s Oilgram Price Rep., 22 Apr. 1996, at 1. o “With money saved by not paying property tax, people could keep there [read ‘their’] homes in better condition, afford vacations and buy more.” Glenda F. Cunard, “Higher Sales Tax,” Indianapolis Star, 19 July 1996, at A9. Language-Change Index — ” (1) “there” misused for “they’re”: Stage 1; (2) “there” misused for “their”: Stage 1. For information about the Language-Change Index click here. ——————– Quotation of the Day: “No one can write decently who is distrustful of the reader’s intelligence.” William Strunk, Jr. & E.B. White, The Elements of Style 84 (3d ed. 1979).