pluralthey

Pluralthey is a label used in discussions of English pronouns to describe the use of they to refer to a single person as a gender-neutral option, in addition to its long-standing use as a pronoun for groups. In this sense, pluralthey overlaps with the widely discussed singular they, the use of they as a nonbinary or gender-neutral pronoun for one individual.

Grammar and pronoun behavior: When used for a single person, they takes the same forms as when referring to multiple people: they as subject, them as object, their as possessive determiner, and themselves as the reflexive form. For example: “Alex forgot their jacket” and “They said they would bring their book.” Verbs agree with they (they are, they have), not with a gendered singular form.

History and reception: The singular use of they has a long history in English and has been widely attested in conversational and literary contexts. In recent decades, it has gained prominence in discussions of gender diversity and inclusive language. Major English-language style guides and dictionaries now recognize singular they as a standard option, and many sources distinguish or discuss it alongside plural they.

Context and considerations: Pronoun choice is a matter of personal or community preference. While many communities favor they/them for nonbinary individuals, others may prefer different pronouns. In multilingual or formal contexts, clarity and audience sensitivity guide usage, and editors often provide guidance for pronoun reference and capitalization.

Overall, pluralthey refers to the broader phenomenon of using they as a pronoun for individuals as well as groups, with singular they being a widely accepted and increasingly standard part of English grammar and inclusive language.