singularthey

Singularthey refers to the use of the pronoun they to refer to a single individual, regardless of gender. It functions as a gender-neutral pronoun in English and is used when the gender of a person is unknown, when the person identifies as nonbinary, or when inclusive language is desired. Singularthey can replace he or she in sentences such as “Someone left their umbrella.”

The singular use of they has historical precedent in English dating back to the 14th century and has become widely accepted in contemporary usage. In recent decades, major dictionaries and style guides have recognized singular they as standard in many contexts, including journalism, academia, and publishing. The approach is valued for reducing gender assumptions and for reflecting real-world diversity in gender identity.

Grammar and usage guidelines emphasize that a singular antecedent with they requires corresponding agreement in verbs and pronouns. Examples: “If anyone calls, tell them I’ll call them back.” The possessive is their, as in “their book,” and the reflexive form can be themself or themselves, with themselves being more common in broader usage. For nonbinary and gender-diverse individuals, singular they is often the pronoun of choice; individuals may also use other pronouns.

Controversies and variations exist. Some critics argue that singular they can cause ambiguity or disrupt traditional grammar, while others see it as a necessary and inclusive evolution of the language. Acceptance varies by region, institution, and audience. Many organizations now provide pronoun guidelines and encourage individuals to specify preferred pronouns, including singularthey, to support respectful communication.