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In standard or modern English, the pronoun “they” is becoming more common when we talk about indefinite pronouns and singular nouns. This change reflects a growing understanding that “they” can be used to refer to one person, especially when we don’t know their gender or when we want to include everyone.
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What are indefinite pronouns?
Indefinite pronouns are words that do not refer to a specific person, thing, or amount. Some common indefinite pronouns include:
- Anyone
- Everyone
- Someone
- No one
- Anything
- Everything
- Something
- Nothing
For example, if you say, “Someone left their book on the table,” you are not talking about a specific person, but you still want to refer to them. Traditionally, people used “he” or “she” in these situations, but using “they” is now considered standard and more inclusive.
How to use “they” with indefinite pronouns
When we use indefinite pronouns, we can use “they” to talk about someone in a gender-neutral way. Merriam-Webster includes a note that “they” can refer to a single person whose gender is unknown or to a person who prefers “they” as their pronoun. Also, Oxford English Dictionary recognizes the use of “they” as a singular pronoun and describes it as a way to refer to a person of unspecified gender.
Here are some examples:
Anyone:
- Traditional: “If anyone has a question, he or she can raise his or her hand.”
- Standard: “If anyone has a question, they can raise their hand.”
Everyone:
- Traditional: “Everyone should submit his or her assignment on time.”
- Standard: “Everyone should submit their assignment on time.”
Someone:
- Traditional: “Someone left his or her jacket here.”
- Standard “Someone left their jacket here.”
No one:
- Traditional: “No one wants to lose his or her place.”
- Standard: “No one wants to lose their place.”
Using “they” in these examples helps make the language more inclusive and acknowledges that gender may not be relevant to the statement.
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Using “they” with singular nouns
In addition to using “they” with indefinite pronouns, it’s also becoming common to use “they” with singular nouns when the gender of the person is unknown. Here are some examples:
A teacher:
- Traditional: “A teacher should grade his or her students fairly.”
- Standard: “A teacher should grade their students fairly.”
A friend:
- Traditional: “A friend should always support him or her.”
- Standard: “A friend should always support them.”
A customer:
- Traditional: “A customer may return his or her purchase within 30 days.”
- Standard: “A customer may return their purchase within 30 days.”
Using “they” in this way helps avoid awkward phrasing with “he or she” and makes sentences flow better.
Using “they” with indefinite pronouns and singular nouns is becoming the norm in standard English. This shift reflects a more inclusive approach to language, allowing us to communicate without making assumptions about gender. As English learners, it’s essential to understand this change and feel comfortable using “they” in your writing and speech.
