Singular They Pronouns Explained
Introduction to Singular 'They'
A Pronoun's Long History
Many people think the use of 'they' as a singular pronoun is a recent trend. It's actually one of the oldest features of the English language. Since the 1300s, writers and speakers have used 'they' to refer to a single person when their gender is unknown or irrelevant.
Somebody left their umbrella behind. I hope they come back for it.
This kind of sentence is common and sounds perfectly natural. It avoids the clunky 'he or she' and the historically biased use of 'he' as a generic default. This isn't just a feature of modern speech. You can find singular 'they' in the works of literary giants like Geoffrey Chaucer, William Shakespeare, and Jane Austen. For centuries, it has served as a practical solution to a gap in the English language.
How It Works Grammatically
Using singular 'they' is straightforward. It functions just like the plural 'they', but its meaning, or antecedent, is a single person. For example, 'If a student needs help, they should ask for it.' Here, 'they' clearly refers to a single student.
One common question is about verb agreement. Does 'they' take a singular or plural verb? Even when used for a single person, singular 'they' takes a plural verb. It’s similar to how 'you' works. Whether you’re talking to one person or a hundred, you always say 'you are,' not 'you is'. The same logic applies here.
The person at the door is knocking loudly. They seem impatient.
The pronoun's forms for different grammatical cases also remain the same.
| Case | Pronoun Form | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Subject | they | When a customer calls, they expect good service. |
| Object | them | If you see the visitor, please show them the way. |
| Possessive | their | Each employee is responsible for their own equipment. |
| Reflexive | themselves | The winner should congratulate themselves. |
Gaining Official Acceptance
For a long time, some grammar purists argued against the singular 'they', preferring 'he' or the cumbersome 'he or she'. However, historical usage and common sense have prevailed. Major dictionaries and style guides now formally recognize and endorse its use.
Merriam-Webster, for example, added the singular 'they' to its dictionary, and it was even named their Word of the Year in 2019. Respected writing guides like the APA Style Guide and the Chicago Manual of Style also approve of its use in formal and academic writing. This widespread acceptance confirms that singular 'they' is a standard, correct part of the English language.
This shift acknowledges a reality that has existed in the language for over 600 years. The singular 'they' is a clear, concise, and inclusive tool for communication.