All about the singular “they”

Isn’t “they” a plural pronoun?

True, “they” is often used as a third person plural pronoun. If you are referring to a group of people in the third person, you would probably say “they are here” or “they are coming”. However, the singular “they” is also correct and can be used in two different ways: generic and specific.

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The generic singular “they” can be used as a third-person singular pronoun if you are referring to someone whose gender is unknown or irrelevant in a given context. For instance, if you’re talking about a person’s friend who you haven’t met yet, it’s natural to say something like, “They seem really nice!” or “Didn’t your friend tell you they were coming?” The specific singular “they” is used when referring to someone whose preferred pronouns are they/them. When talking about someone who uses they/them pronouns, it’s appropriate to say something like “Robin was wondering if they could borrow your pencil.”

What do grammar experts say about the singular “they”?

Some critics are still against using the singular “they”, but many grammar style guides have adapted this concept. The MLA Style Guide and the APA Style Guide, which is the official style guide for scholarly writing, are among several grammar rulebooks that have come to accept the use of the singular “they” in formal writing. The Chicago Manual of Style accepts the use of the singular “they” but still cautions writers against using it.

When did the use of the singular “they” originate?

The singular “they” has been around for quite some time. In fact, the Oxford English Dictionary claims that the singular “they” was possibly used before the late fourteenth century.1 The quest to find a personal pronoun that is neither masculine nor feminine has also been going on for centuries. In the seventeenth century, people who did not identify with a specific gender were sometimes referred as “it”.² “They” is already an acceptable pronoun for people and is often used to describe people if their gender isn’t known, which is why it is becoming a popular pronoun for non-binary individuals.

Talking to someone who uses singular “they” as their personal pronoun

If someone you know decides that they are more comfortable with they/them pronouns, it can take time to get used to the change. Instead of saying “he”, “her”, or “himself”, use “they”, “their”, or “themself” to refer to them. The more often you do it, the easier it will get. Learning the correct pronouns of an individual is respectful and will make them feel more included in conversations.

The singular “they” is here to stay and is slowly becoming an important change in the English language. Find more helpful writing tips to improve your comprehension skills.

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