Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
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 donāt 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, āSomeone left their book on the table,ā you are not talking about a specific person, but you still want to refer to them. Traditionally, people used āheā or āsheā in these situations, but using “they” is now considered standard and more inclusive.
How to use ātheyā with indefinite pronouns
When we use indefinite pronouns, we can use ātheyā 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 ātheyā as their pronoun. Also, Oxford English Dictionary recognizes the use of ātheyā as a singular pronoun and describes it as a way to refer to a person of unspecified gender.
Here are some examples:
Anyone:
- Traditional: āIf anyone has a question, he or she can raise his or her hand.ā
- Standard: āIf anyone has a question, they can raise their hand.ā
Everyone:
- Traditional: āEveryone should submit his or her assignment on time.ā
- Standard: āEveryone should submit their assignment on time.ā
Someone:
- Traditional: āSomeone left his or her jacket here.ā
- Standard āSomeone left their jacket here.ā
No one:
- Traditional: āNo one wants to lose his or her place.ā
- Standard: āNo one wants to lose their place.ā
Using ātheyā 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 ātheyā with singular nouns
In addition to using ātheyā with indefinite pronouns, itās also becoming common to use ātheyā with singular nouns when the gender of the person is unknown. Here are some examples:
A teacher:
- Traditional: āA teacher should grade his or her students fairly.ā
- Standard: āA teacher should grade their students fairly.ā
A friend:
- Traditional: āA friend should always support him or her.ā
- Standard: āA friend should always support them.ā
A customer:
- Traditional: āA customer may return his or her purchase within 30 days.ā
- Standard: āA customer may return their purchase within 30 days.ā
Using ātheyā in this way helps avoid awkward phrasing with āhe or sheā and makes sentences flow better.
Using ātheyā 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, itās essential to understand this change and feel comfortable using ātheyā in your writing and speech.
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