Research abstract

Fifty shades of ‘they’

Do you ever have issues with pronouns? As part of the English language, we have more pronouns that most linguistics but we separate singular and multiple. We even have one for items and without a gender modifier. By The Grammarphobia Blog

Laura Lurns Last updated June 9, 2017 · 1 min read

The word “they” is a formal pronoun that was not always accepted, but it has been around for seven hundred years in the English Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Oftentimes people think that using they is not appropriate for talking about a single person, but they means all people some people know people any people so they is completely appropriate to use. The last five years is when they became less controversial to news editor and magazine publications.

“They” is a legitimate way of referring back to an unknown person or persons, neither singular nor plural, masculine nor feminine.

In the early 1330 using “they” to talk about an antecedent or something that comes after became completely appropriate to use that is the first instance of they being used as a formal pronoun there is much argument about when there is appropriately used but as long as it is talking about a person then they will suffice. If you’re uncomfortable using they there is an alternative that can be used which is an indefinite pronoun.

Key takeaways

Historically, the singular use of “they” has been frowned upon.
The singular use of “they” has become more prevalent over time.
The singular use of “they” can sound awkward when used with an indefinite pronoun.

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Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert Writes about the learning brain for parents who want plain answers. Every article is grounded in current neuroscience and classroom practice.

“They” is a legitimate way of referring back to an unknown person or persons, neither singular nor plural, masculine nor feminine.

Key takeaways

Is your child struggling in school?

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