Singular They
Singular they is the use of they, or its inflected or derivative forms, such as them, their, or themselves, to refer to a single person or an antecedent that is grammatically singular. It typically occurs with an antecedent of indeterminate gender, as in sentences such as:
- "Everyone returned to their seats."[1]
- "Somebody left their umbrella in the office. Would they please collect it?"[2]
- "The patient should be told at the outset how much they will be required to pay."[3]
- "But a journalist should not be forced to reveal their sources."[3]
A reason for its use is that English has no dedicated singular personal pronoun of indeterminate gender.[4] In some cases, its use can be explained by notional agreement because words like "everyone", though singular in form, are plural in meaning.[5]Its use in formal English has increased in recent times with the trend toward gender-inclusive language,[3] but it has been used by respected writers for centuries.[6]
Though singular they has a long history of usage and is common in everyday English, its use has been criticized since the late nineteenth century, and acceptance varies.
they
pronoun, plural in construction \ˈthâ\
Definition of THEY
1
a : those ones —used as third person pronoun serving as the plural of he, she, or it or referring to a group of two or more individuals not all of the same s*x
b : 1he 2 —often used with an indefinite third person singular antecedent
2: people 2 —used in a generic sense