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Learning how to use and distinguish Here and There in English

Here & There are two words commonly used in English communication and academic exams. However, many people still confuse how to use Here and There and do not know the accurate distinctions between them. In today’s article, PREP will provide you with Here and There meaning and some Here and There examples, so let’s take a look!

I. What is Here?
II. What is There?
1. 1. Definition
2. 2. Idioms with There
III. Difference between Here and There
1. 1. Similarities between Here and There
2. 2. Differences between Here vs There
IV. Exercises to distinguish Here and There
1. 1. Exercise
2. 2. Answer

I. What is Here?

Before distinguishing between Here and There, let’s explore the concept and usage of Here!

1. Definition

"Here" is pronounced /hɪr/ and functions as an adverb, meaning: in, at, or to this place. For example:

Come here - I've got something to show you.
Shall we break here and have a coffee?

"Here" can also begin a sentence to draw someone’s attention to something. For example:

Here’s the money I owe you.
Here Anna is now.

2. Idioms with Here

Idioms with Here	Meaning	Example
be here for someone	to be available to provide help and support for someone	No matter what happens, I'll always be here for you.
be here for something	to be available to provide help and support for someone	I'm here for the meeting, not for any personal reasons.
the here and now	the present time	Let's focus on the here and now instead of worrying about the future.
here and there	in different places	You can find small shops here and there in the city.
here goes!	said just before you do something brave or something that you have never done before	I've never tried this before, but here goes!
here today, gone tomorrow	said about something that lasts only a short time	Opportunities in this business are often here today, gone tomorrow.
here we go	a phrase often sung repeatedly by English football crowds when their team is successful	Here we go with the final round of the competition.
here we go (again)	said when something bad starts happening again	Here we go again with the same old argument.
here's to ...	said when asking a group of people to hold up their glasses and then drink as an expression of good wishes to someone or hope for the success of something	Here’s to a successful year ahead!

3. Words and phrases with Here

Words and phrases with Here	Example
from here	From here, you can see the entire city.
come here	Come here and take a look at this!
over here	I found your keys, they’re over here.

II. What is There?

To accurately distinguish Here and There, let’s explore the concept and usage of There below!

1. Definition

"There" is pronounced /ðer/ and functions as an adverb and an interjection, meaning: (to, at, or in) that place. For example:

The museum is closed today. We'll go there tomorrow.
There, I've finally got it working.

2. Idioms with There

Idioms with There	Meaning	Example
be there for someone	to be available to provide help and support for someone	I'll always be there for you no matter what happens.
there you go again	a way of emphasizing that an action is often repeated	There you go again with your excuses.
there and back	adding together the distance or time to and from a particular place	We made a quick trip there and back to pick up some supplies.
there you go	used when giving something to someone, usually after a request for the thing, such as giving someone goods that they have bought	There you go! That’s the right answer.
there's a good boy/ girl/ dog!	used to show approval or encouragement	Tie your shoelaces, there's a good girl!
there's no (such thing as a) free lunch	said to emphasize that you cannot get something for nothing	Remember, there’s no free lunch, you’ll need to work for that promotion.
there, there	something you say to comfort someone, especially a child	There, there, everything will be alright.
get there	to arrive somewhere	With hard work, you’ll eventually get there.
so there	used for emphasis, or to show that something is being done against someone else's wishes	I told you it would work out, and so there!
there's no telling	it is not possible to know	There’s no telling what the weather will be like next week.
there are plenty of fish in the sea	used to tell someone whose relationship has ended that there are many other people that they could have a relationship with	Don’t worry about that breakup, there are plenty of fish in the sea.
be up there	to be among the best, worst, or most important examples of something	Emi’s performance was up there with the best in the competition.

III. Difference between Here and There

Let’s accurately distinguish Here and There and their differences in usage below!

1. Similarities between Here and There

Both Here and There can follow a preposition. For example:
- Is there a bank around here?
- Anna, put the book over there, please, by the bookshelf.
Both can begin a sentence. For example:
- Here’s the CD I said I’d lend you.
- There’s the shop where I bought those black shoes you liked.
"Here you are" and "There you are" are used to express handing something to someone. For example:
- Did you get my newspaper? ➞ Yes. Here you are.
- Can you pass me that dictionary? ➞ There you go.
"Here it is!" and "There he is!" are used to express finding something or someone after searching. For example:
- Has anyone seen my pen? ➞ Here it is, right by the phone.
- Simon! There you are! Everyone’s waiting for you!

2. Differences between Here vs There

There vs Here	Here	There
Meaning	in, at, or to this place	(to, at, or in) that place
Meaning	Do you want to stay here or go to another restaurant?	A: Where’s my cup of tea? B: It’s there, next to you, on the little table!
Usage	Here + this/these	There + that/those
	Are these shoes here yours?	You press that button there and the motor should start.
	Here + bring	There + take
	Bring your glass here and I’ll give you some juice.	This package has to go to the post room. Would you take it there for me, please?
	Here S be!	Hello/ Hi there!
	Hello! Here we are! I hope we haven’t missed lunch?	Hello there. How’s things?
	Here	❌
	A: Hi, Susan, Emi here. How are you? B: Emi, hi. Fine, thanks. And you?

IV. Exercises to distinguish Here and There

To better understand the usage and distinctions between Here and There, let’s complete the exercises below with PREP!

1. Exercise

Exercise 1: Choose Here or There to fill in the blanks in the following sentences:

The keys are not _____; they must be in the other room.
I’ll meet you _____ at the coffee shop.
Can you see that building over _____? It’s the new library.
_____ is a beautiful park just down the street.
I have never been _____ before; it’s my first time visiting this city.

Exercise 2: Arrange the following sentences to create meaningful statements.

are/ here/ the/ books/ on/ table.
a/ there/ park/ is/ beautiful/ across/ street.
can/ find/ you/ the/ keys/ here.
we/ will/ meet/ at/ there/ the/ café.
many/ tourists/ are/ visiting/ here/ this/ summer.

2. Answer

Exercise 1	Exercise 2
there here there here there	The books are here on the table. There is a beautiful park across the street. Can you find the keys here? We will meet at the café there. Many tourists are visiting here this summer.

Above, PREP has shared the concepts, usage, and accurate distinctions between Here and There. Keep following PREP for more useful and interesting English knowledge!

Master Tu Pham

Founder/CEO at Prep

Founder of Prep Smart Test Preparation Platform. With over 10 years of experience in teaching and test preparation, Mr. Tú has helped thousands of students achieve high scores in the IELTS exam. In addition, Mr. Tú Phạm is also a consulting expert in British Council programs and a speaker at many leading educational events, programs, and conferences.