Themtheir

Themtheir is a proposed neopronoun that appears in online discussions as a gender-neutral third-person reference. It blends the words them and their in an attempt to provide a single pronoun form that avoids gender specification while aligning with familiar English pronouns. Advocates describe them as a way to respect people who do not identify with traditional binary or common neopronoun sets.

Origin and usage: Themtheir emerged within internet communities and advocacy spaces during the 2010s and 2020s as part of broader discussions about inclusive language. It is not recognized by major linguistics organizations or mainstream style guides, and there is no universally adopted grammar. Usage varies by community and individual, and many people who discuss neopronouns prefer established sets such as they/them or other recognized neopronouns.

Grammar and forms: Because there is no standardized convention, there is no single accepted set of subject, object, or possessive forms for themtheir. In some proposals, it is treated as a combined subject pronoun; in others, writers rely on the existing forms (they/them/their) and reserve themtheir for specific contexts. Pronoun etiquette—asking for and honoring pronouns—remains the recommended practice.

Reception: Scholarly and editorial institutions largely regard advanced neopronouns as niche, with debate about clarity, inclusivity, and readability. Some communities welcome more options, while others favor simpler or already established pronouns. In formal writing, authors are advised to follow the pronoun preferences of individuals and, when in doubt, to avoid introducing nonstandard forms without consent.

See also: neopronoun; gender-neutral pronouns; they/them; pronoun usage.