hertheir

Hertheir is a proposed gender-inclusive determiner in English, formed as a blend of “her” and “their.” It is intended for use with a singular referent whose gender identity is nonbinary or unspecified, as an alternative to choosing between “her” or “their” in possessive constructions.

Origin and usage: The term has appeared in online discussions, language blogs, and some inclusive-language resources during the 2020s as part of broader efforts to expand pronoun options beyond binary categories. It is primarily discussed as a possessive determiner; there is no widely agreed-upon set of corresponding subject or object pronouns, and its acceptance varies among communities and style guides.

Grammar and examples: As a determiner, hertheir precedes a noun to indicate possession without assuming gender. Examples include: “That is hertheir book.” and “Hertheir jacket is on the chair.” In practice, users may continue to employ other pronoun forms, or pair hertheir with individualized subject or object pronouns if desired, though such conventions are not standardized.

Reception and debate: Opinions on hertheir are mixed. Proponents view it as a useful tool for reducing gender assumptions and supporting nonbinary and gender-nonconforming speakers. Critics warn that it can introduce ambiguity, complicate agreement, and lack consistent usage across contexts. Some linguists advocate for broader adoption of established neopronouns or for clarifying pronoun sets rather than coining new forms.

See also: Gender-neutral pronouns, Neopronouns, Inclusive language.