they

The word they is a pronoun used to refer to people and things. In English it appears in two main senses: as a plural pronoun, and as a gender-neutral singular pronoun. The standard forms are they (subject), them (object), their (possessive determiner), theirs (possessive pronoun), and themselves (reflexive). As a singular pronoun, they can refer to a person when gender is unknown or undisclosed, or to a nonbinary person.

Singular they has a long history in English, dating back to the 14th century. It has traditionally been used for generic persons or to avoid specifying gender. In recent decades, it has gained prominence as the preferred pronoun for many nonbinary people and as a general inclusive option in writing and speech. Its use is widely accepted in modern English, though some prescriptive contexts still prefer “he or she.”

Grammar and style: with singular they, verbs typically take a plural agreement, as in “they are” and “they were.” The reflexive is “themselves,” and the possessive determiner is “their” while the possessive pronoun is “theirs.” Most major style guides (including APA, MLA, Chicago, and AP) recognize singular they as correct in appropriate contexts; when possible, writers should prioritize clarity and the pronouns a person requests.

Other considerations: in addition to gender, “they” is used in impersonal constructions (“they say”) and can function as a generic pronoun for unknown people. Some languages lack a direct equivalent, prompting ongoing discussion about pronoun systems and translation. Neopronouns and alternative forms also exist in contemporary English.