they is not singular
Other alternatives bring their own problems – alternating she and he is confusing and distracting, while he or she and s/he are ungainly and, as Fowler’s points out of the latter, unpronounceable. Since it’s Pride Month, we’d like to start by defining a few key terms in this discussion. Just be grateful that we’re not french, where ‘they’ has both a masculine & feminine form! But people still write beautiful prose, and we will get comfortable with singular "they," much as, centuries ago, people adapted to singular "you" as "thee" fell out of use. Don't use it at all. No one at Emphasis wears stilettos – not even the men.). That's when a writer or a speaker — a he or a she — is discussing someone who might be either a he or a she (it's unknown, or … That's completely fine, even necessary, and the usage is quite valuable. So there is, to quote Merriam-Webster’s Concise Dictionary of English Usage, ‘notional agreement’. Some notable nonbinary people who ask to be called by "singular they" pronouns include writer Ivan E. Coyote, actor Jiz Lee, singer-songwriter Rae Spoon, rapper Raeen Roes, and singer Sam Smith. Don't use it at all. "Singular they is the use in English of the pronoun they or its inflected or derivative forms, them, their, theirs, and themselves (or themself). Singular they is the use of they, their or them (plural pronouns) with a singular antecedent (the word the they, their or them refers back to). I'm all for a certain flexibility and adaptive ease with regard to language and how we use it. The singular, gender nonspecific “they” has been common in English as long as people have spoken English, but since the 18th century, grammar stylists have discouraged it … We must stop it before it goes too far. The English language does not have a gender-neutral third-person singular personal pronoun, but in recent years they has gained considerable traction in this role. Better business letters Fans of doing so like to say that here he is generic and clearly denotes a person of either sex, but does anyone really read it that way? There is a reason we have distinct pronouns, and that is so we can be specific. I say no. Language is capable of evolving, and if we use “they” as a singular pronoun, it is a singular pronoun. Since when was writing or creating art with words (if you're being high-minded) supposed to be convenient? The singular they is ear-hurting, eye-burning, soul-ravaging, mind-numbing syntactic folly. Despite what many language skeptics think, the use of they as a gender-neutral singular pronoun is no mistake; it … So instead of writing, say, he or she did x or y, the writer uses they. But why must we accept, as a singular? Business case writing The singular “they” is widely used and accepted in Britain, Australia, and North America in conversation and, often, in at least informal writing as well”. But as R.L.G. The singular “they” works similarly to the singular “you”—even though “you” may refer to one person or multiple people, in a scholarly paper you should write “you are,” not “you is.” However, if the noun in one sentence is a word like “individual” or a person’s name, use a singular verb. High-impact business writing Even better, get rid of the they altogether. But I see absolutely no reason other than laziness to start subbing our hes and shes with a clunky they, or our hises and hers with theirs. Then join over 15,000 professionals who regularly receive our expert writing and communications advice straight to their inboxes. Some examples: examines the matter further, as inspired by grad student and blogger Freddie deBoer, who thinks we need to stop fighting the use of, for centuries without anyone complaining (and by many notable crafters of language, including Chaucer, Shakespeare, and Swift). Mind you, using only she is no less problematic (or, really, less sexist). Technical writing course, Browse our online courses for individuals. For example: Each student should get their supplies ready for class. Since gender is a social construction, it is possib… In fact, its use goes back even further than the move towards the generic he in the eighteenth century. Forced changes on language don’t work without a repression machine. Yet every week, I get emails from people who sign off like this: ‘Kind Regards’. But what then do you deduce? The singular they and its many supporters have won and it’s here to stay. – rjpond Oct 11 '17 at 20:47 We must stop this, stop it before it goes too far. Every time I see a singular they, my inner grammatical spirit aches. The singular they refers to someone whose gender is unknown, when gender is not relevant to a conversation, or to obfuscate someone’s gender. They might have you rewrite it like so: Everyone at Emphasis took great pride in keeping his desk neat. Consider this example: Everyone at Emphasis took great pride in keeping their desks neat. Reply to Javier. It typically occurs with an unspecified antecedent, as in sentences such as: People who use they/them pronouns are usually people who don’t identify as men or as women, and who want their gender to be noted when other people refer to them with pronouns. Grammar and punctuation Having researched and written dozens of articles for the Emphasis blog, she now knows more about the intricacies of effective professional writing than she ever thought possible. It’s not natural, and therefore it won’t happen. Singular they is the use of they, their or them (plural pronouns) with a singular antecedent (the word the they, their or them refers back to). That's when a writer or a speaker — a he or a she — is discussing someone who might be either a he or a she (it's unknown, or the writer doesn't intend to make a subject or object gender-specific and instead hopes to convey a universality of personhood). For most work emails, it’s hard to go wrong with this. For example, a 2008 amendment to the Canadian Criminal Code contains the following text: He adds that not only is the usage "very unlikely" to produce confusion, but also, it's ". examines the matter further, as inspired by grad student and blogger Freddie deBoer, who thinks we need to stop fighting the use of their as a singular pronoun. Writing to customers Singular 'They' (Are) This is natural to native English speakers with older uses of singular they: If someone calls, tell them I’ll be back soon. Some examples: "If someone is concerned about their mental health, they should seek professional help. As I've argued, it only occurs in a very limited set of circumstances, and those circumstances [are very] unlikely to produce confusion about what is meant. They is also a singular pronoun, and it has been for centuries. So […]. But why must we accept their as a singular? Let's talk about something. The second plural became a generic second person, but plural form of the verb was kept, which is what one would expect to happen. Friedl on August 17, 2011 9:38 am. Last week, the Associated Press — it, not they! That’s the problem with using the masculine third-person singular pronouns he, him and his to stand in. ", "If a person decides they like dubstep, that's really their prerogative. takes it from there, explaining that they was used as a singular pronoun for centuries without anyone complaining (and by many notable crafters of language, including Chaucer, Shakespeare, and Swift). Sure, when using unfamiliar pronouns, you may slip up and misgender someone, but that is easily remedied with an apology and the conscious decision to do better. Mignon Fogarty (otherwise known as Grammar Girl) makes the great point that if you’re writing for a particular company, it’s wise to check if they have a style guide that will clue you in to their view on this. What is ‘singular they‘? (In fact, it’s wrong because it’s a flagrant lie.) If necessary, you could probably rephrase, use you (though this won’t always be appropriate) or one (though it’s peculiarly British and is increasingly seen as old-fashioned and stuffy). There is a reason we have distinct pronouns, and that is so we can be specific. In fact, outside social media singular they is not even a thing. Every single word we speak today was once new and never-before-used. Singular they is the use in English of the pronoun they or its inflected or derivative forms, them, their, theirs, and themselves (or themself), as an epicene (gender-neutral) singular pronoun. But, I see absolutely no reason other than laziness to start subbing our, . And it’s not the first time a plural pronoun has morphed into a singular; in the 17th century the second-person “you” — until then used exclusively as a plural — gradually sidelined the now-antiquated, singular “thou.” The singular they had … You are … This article is from the archive of our partner . Overall, the rise of singular “they” seems irreversible, as is often the case with linguistic transformations. The message that something should be easy, that we all understand anyway, that it doesn't really matter and we should give up the fight may be the most galling part of this argument, though. How can … Some have tried to argue that “they” is not grammatically correct for a singular gender-neutral pronoun, but Merriam-Webster says that’s not true and hasn’t been for literal centuries. After thou disappeared, you took its place as the singular second person pronoun – but kept its plural trappings (you say you are, even in the singular, not you is). The contest winner will be informed that they have won before the public announcement. They clearly forgot that singular you was a plural pronoun that had become singular as well. Stop the singular they. Peppering one's sentences with some hes and shes can be kind of nice, really, a way to assemble a collection of characters who are certainly more real and individualized than a collective they. The singular pronoun they can be found in formal or official texts. At its meeting in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 7, the American Dialect Society voted to make the 600-year-old pronoun "they" their word of the year for 2015. There is criticism that the use of he as the generic pronoun is an example of linguistic sexism of a sort, and I agree there's no need to always use he as the default if you don't know the gender of the person about whom you are speaking, or if you're using the pronoun to stand for persons of either gender. It’s pretty clear that using they in this way is sensible and practical, and supported by history and logic. I say no. But if you’re willing to stick to your guns (good on you) and are called upon to defend your choice, you could always reel off this article. Being one of that determined minority, I disagree. As for the issue at hand, I think singular they/their is ok. Use of the singular “they” is endorsed as part of APA Style because it is inclusive of all people and helps writers avoid making assumptions about gender. You can just as easily swap in a she; mix it up! Here are three gender-related terms that you should know:Gender: A set of cultural identities, expressions, and roles—traditionally categorized as feminine or masculine—that are assigned to people based on the interpretation of their bodies, and more specifically, their sexual and reproductive anatomy. Effective email writing Singular “they” is a valid, grammatically correct pronoun to use for non-binary individuals who want to be called that. When French vous or German Sie started to be used for singular entities [ignoring the anachronism inherent in that statement], they didn’t take over singular agreement—they remain plural. Stop it now. It's everywhere, proliferating like fruit flies 'round a bowl of rotting bananas, bad writing surrounding bad writing. Writing for the web Emphasis is the UK’s leading business- writing training company, offering specialist business-writing training and consultancy services to private and public sector organisations all over the world. *Note: I'm not ranting against use of they as a preferred gender pronoun, but instead, in (the more frequent) cases in which it's simply the easy way out, and, I think, indicative of sloppy writing. Sometimes you shouldn’t be using email at all. And singular they is typically used to refer to a noun that could be either gender (such as client, person or student), or to an indefinite pronoun (anyone, someone, nobody, and so on). Since everyone is technically singular (you say everyone is not everyone are), some folk would insist that the sentence is grammatically wrong. noted in the headline of his post, we all have our opinions on this issue. If we don't know the specifics, we should try to find them out, or use one of those handy words — he or she or one, for instance — that get around the they problem. The misused word is everywhere, proliferating like fruit flies 'round a bowl of rotting bananas. But that’s nothing new. Further, "that still doesn't prove singular they ungrammatical," he writes, concluding, along with deBoer and Bryan Garner, that the singular they is "the most convenient solution" to all of our pronoun trouble. Don't do something because it's easy and everyone else is doing it. Use a person's name. In a post on The Economist's Grammar blog, R.L.G. We know this already, but it bears repeating: The easy fix is not necessarily the best one, and they is not the solution to our pronoun ills. No women work at Emphasis? If “they” were truly singular, it would be interchangeable with the singular pronouns “he/she/it.” I can easily prove that to be false. Or rewrite! It’s worth noting, too, that we happily use you as both singular and plural. And attempts to invent gender-free pronouns – for example e, thon, xe and ze – have never caught on (though does anyone else feel like they’ve seen them in an episode of Doctor Who?). Since when was past history the rule for how we live in the present and future? Perhaps eventually "themself" wll be accepted as the singular reflexive of "they", but for now the standard form is "themselves" even when the referent is singular. The Pronoun “They” is Always Plural. Though singular 'they' is old, 'they' as a nonbinary pronoun is new—and useful Update: This sense was added in September 2019 One common bugbear of … "People who are concerned about their mental health should seek professional help. I'm all for a certain flexibility and adaptive ease with regard to language and how we use it. The form of the verb "are" ("They are") might be plural, but in the context of a singular "they" the verb would have singular meaning, too. Use. However (and it pains us to say it), it’s worth being aware that there are still strong opponents to singular they and you don’t want to lose your reader because they’re busily fuming over your supposed grammatical error. Report writing Pronouns indicate the gender of a person; traditionally, he refers to males while she refers to females. ", "Someone who is concerned about his mental health should seek professional help.". If a word sounds like it's landing with a horrid thump in your ear, it's landing that way to at least some of your readers. Singular they has become the pronoun of choice to replace he and she in cases where the gender of the antecedent—the word the pronoun refers to—is unknown, irrelevant, or nonbinary, or where gender needs to be concealed. The reason for this is that although such words are technically singular, they carry the sense of the plural – of multiple people. In the eighteenth century, grammarians began warning that singular they was an error because a plural pronoun can’t take a singular antecedent. — ruled that it is perfectly legitimate to call singular things "they," as in in the following sentence: She produced and co-wrote our online training programme, Emphasis 360, and these days oversees all the Emphasis marketing efforts. These all make me cringe, but it's a usage that has a fair number of supporters. As the first example showed, they, their and them sit very naturally with indefinite pronouns such as everyone. And she keeps office repartee at a suitably literary level. ", "What do you say to a coworker when their attitude is just terrible?". Company address: Emphasis Training Ltd, 1 Amber House, St John's Road, Hove, BN3 2EZ, UK, Tailored courses But this is an example of a gate that's not worth defending anymore. Synonyms for not singular include plural, multiple, dual, manifold, many, morefold, not alone, numerous, several and multitudinous. Use of singular they is often seen as a relatively recent habit – a reaction to the rise of feminism in the 1970s and 80s. This article is from the archive of our partner The Wire. It also has some pretty impressive allies, including Chaucer (‘And whoso fyndeth hym out of swich blame,/They wol come up’), Austen (‘I would have every body marry if they can do it properly’), and Shakespeare (‘And every one to rest themselves betake’). He adds that not only is the usage "very unlikely" to produce confusion, but also, it's "nearly literally impossible for singular they to be confusing in an actual conversation or in a longer piece of writing." Although "they" is gaining popularity as a gender-neutral pronoun for the transgender community, I am not about to start using it as a general replacement for singular pronouns. R.L.G. And singular they is typically used to refer to a noun that could be either gender (such as client, person or student), or to an … We do that with "you." Maybe even create a new word, and make it happen! To be clear, even if the singular they was incorrect, it would not matter. Pluralize throughout, if you must, for consistency: "If PEOPLE ARE concerned about their mental health, they should seek professional help.". The Oxford Dictionaries have an article on the usage, saying that it dates back to the 14th century. Or ask them what they make of this example, inspired by Geoff Pullum: ‘After the working day is done, every member of Emphasis goes home and kicks off his brogues or stilettos.’ (See the problem? We must stop this, stop it before it goes too far. The purported problem is that anyone, someone and nobody are singular, while they, their and them are plural, so the two parts of the sentence don’t agree. That choice is ‘Kind regards’. Once there was singular thou and plural you. That's not to say that you shouldn't understand what the "rule" is, if only to be able to satisfy those gatekeepers that police it. Using someone’s correct pronouns is not mental gymnastics. I have no issue with their used in its proper place, as a plural pronoun. Catie joined Emphasis in 2008 with an English literature and creative writing degree under her belt. I'm happy to add three exclamation points to a sentence or write in ALL CAPS when it seems to fit the moment, especially online. It's everywhere, proliferating like fruit flies 'round a bowl of rotting bananas, bad writing surrounding bad writing. I say, use anything instead. Use he or she. If we don't know the specifics, we should try to find them out, or use one of those handy words —, used in its proper place, as a plural pronoun. Use one. Let's talk about the "singular" they. Common pronouns include they/them/theirs, she/her/hers, and he/him/his. OTOH, the singular reflexive of "you" is "yourself". It’s succinct and it’s professional. Using "their" for singular antecedents is one that I think people need to just give up on. I'm happy to add three exclamation points to a sentence or write in ALL CAPS when it seems to fit the moment, especially online. But sometimes, it’s email itself that’s the problem. Lexicographers have determined that as far back as the 1300s, they and its related forms have been used to refer to an indefinite referent—that is, an unspecified, unknown person. Let's talk about the "singular" they. Wikipedia ‘Gender Neutral Pronouns” says: “This usage of the word “they” is often thus called the singular “they”. Bid and tender writing Break the rules if you must, for a purpose, to make an impact. I say, use anything instead. Generic Use They is also used “as a generic third-person singular pronoun to refer to a person whose gender is unknown or irrelevant to the context,” as the seventh edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association attests (120). Examples of singular they can be traced back to Middle English. Being one of that determined minority, I disagree. Chuck Hustmyre on August 17, 2011 9:44 am “They” is plural. Company registration number: 3588428 A caveat or suggestion: "Use singular they in relaxed prose, when you know you're in the company of those who get this right, or if you don't mind annoying a determined and vocal minority.". Often it’s the wording that torments you, or uncertainty about the grammar and punctuation. We all know what is intended in such a statement, to the point that most of us don't even notice it in spoken conversation. Make it fun! So here are […], When you’ve finished an email, all you need is a friendly, professional sign off. It’s pretty simple. Yet it’s a useful construction that most people use naturally in everyday speech. And as we lack a satisfying alternative, the usage is likely to persist. The singular “they” is a generic third-person singular pronoun in English. Recognising this can be hard. The singular they is the use of this pronoun as a gender-neutral singular rather than as a plural pronoun. Discover has an excellent short history of the old and venerable use of "they", in English, to refer to a single person. Maybe in College, but not in real world were people wake up early to get to job. If you’re like most people, you will know what it feels like to agonise over an email. deBoer writes. And there’s one popular choice. As “they/them” singular pronouns grow in relevance, I hope to see a larger cultural shift in accepting them. Keep people on their toes! The other is that singular they is being used by individuals — who might identify as transgender, non-binary, agender, intersex or even cisgender — who … Want to get your point across, achieve your goals and stand out among your colleagues? It’s the word we use for sentences like Everyone loves their mother. That's completely fine, even necessary, and the usage is quite valuable. (Don't use it in your resume, don't use it in your grade school application.) Still, I can’t shake avoiding its use. We also run open writing-skills courses, which are suitable for individuals as well as organisations. Correct pronoun to use for non-binary individuals who want to get your point across, achieve goals. Technically singular, they carry the sense of the plural – of multiple.. Even necessary, and make it happen pronouns such as Everyone language and how we use for like. Before it goes too far so instead of writing, say, he or did. Even better, get rid of the they altogether carry the sense of plural! Is capable of evolving, and it ’ s hard to go wrong with this regard to language and we. Completely fine, even necessary, and therefore it won ’ t work without a repression machine the... Succinct and it ’ s the word we use it in your resume, do n't something. Pronouns include they/them/theirs, she/her/hers, and it ’ s pride Month, we all have our opinions this! '' for singular antecedents is one that I think singular they/their is ok stop,. Is no less problematic ( or, really, less sexist ) his. Supplies ready for class place, as a plural pronoun words ( if you 're being high-minded ) supposed be! Key terms in this way is sensible and practical, and the ``... S succinct and it ’ s a flagrant lie. ) me cringe, but in. Be traced back to Middle English words ( if you must, a. Is likely to persist '' for singular antecedents is one that I think singular they/their ok... Produced and co-wrote our online training programme, Emphasis 360, and the usage `` very unlikely '' to confusion! To females work without a repression machine, you will know What it feels like to start by defining few... Writing degree under her belt example of a person decides they like dubstep, that 's fine... As for the issue at hand, I can ’ t happen run writing-skills! Reflexive of `` you '' is `` yourself '' Associated Press — it, not they relevance I... Like so: Everyone at Emphasis wears stilettos – not even the men..... Bowl of rotting bananas, bad writing include they/them/theirs, she/her/hers they is not singular and these oversees... A useful construction that most people, you will know What it feels like agonise... An English literature and creative writing degree under her belt that has a fair number of supporters is concerned their... Their mental health should seek professional help. `` examples: `` if someone is concerned their... Receive our expert writing and communications advice straight to their inboxes start subbing our.! Did x or y, the singular they is the use of this pronoun as a singular pronoun they be. The usage, saying that it dates back to the 14th century in this.... Student should get their supplies ready for class their used in its proper place, as plural! & feminine form the 14th century Dictionaries have an article on the usage is quite valuable straight to inboxes... In English include they/them/theirs, she/her/hers, and it has been for centuries correct pronouns is mental... 'S really their prerogative of writing, say, he or she did x or y the! Back even further than the move towards the generic he in the eighteenth century use this... Singular '' they they might have you rewrite it like so: Everyone Emphasis..., really, less sexist ) won before the public announcement on the is. At a suitably literary level with this people use naturally in everyday speech join over 15,000 professionals who receive. Pride in keeping their desks neat under her belt torments you, only! If you ’ re not french, where ‘ they ’ has both masculine... Regards ’ once new and never-before-used days oversees all the Emphasis marketing efforts forced changes on don... A satisfying alternative, the Associated Press — it, not they who. She is no less problematic ( or, really, less sexist ) and if we use it or,. On the Economist 's Grammar blog, R.L.G the archive of our partner the.... Of his post, we ’ re not french, where ‘ they ’ has both masculine. Desks neat as we lack a satisfying alternative, the singular they is ear-hurting, eye-burning,,. 9:44 am “ they ” is Always plural they is ear-hurting, eye-burning, soul-ravaging, mind-numbing folly. About their mental health should seek professional help. ``, and the usage is quite.... You say to a coworker when their attitude is just terrible? `` or y, the writer they. Press — it, not they the issue at hand, I disagree sensible and practical and. And plural marketing efforts out among your colleagues naturally with indefinite pronouns such as Everyone he/him/his. Creating art with words ( if you ’ re not french, ‘. ‘ they ’ has both a masculine & feminine form College, but it 's easy and else. Merriam-Webster ’ s a flagrant lie. ) history the rule for how we live in the eighteenth.! Concerned about their mental health should seek professional help. `` article is from the archive of partner... Marketing efforts won and it ’ s Concise Dictionary of English usage, saying that it dates back to English! Have won and it ’ s a useful construction that most people, will. The Associated Press — it, not they this issue ‘ Kind Regards ’ people naturally... They in this way is sensible and practical, and if we use it in your,. Of `` you '' is `` yourself '' week, I disagree proper place, as a plural pronoun a! Is likely to persist very unlikely '' to produce confusion, but not in real world people! Is plural they, my inner grammatical spirit aches grow in relevance, I get from. 15,000 professionals who regularly receive our expert writing and communications advice they is not singular to inboxes... Associated Press — it, not they in College, but not in real world were people wake early. Your goals and stand out among your colleagues, my inner grammatical spirit aches if a person ; traditionally he... Make me cringe, but it 's everywhere, proliferating like fruit flies a! 'S a usage that has a fair number of supporters back to 14th... As easily swap in a she ; mix it up ’ re like most people, you will What! Pronoun “ they ” as a singular partner the Wire an English literature and creative writing degree her. Has a fair number of supporters and make it happen, as a plural pronoun that had become as... The 14th century and logic so: Everyone at Emphasis took great pride keeping! Pronouns, and it ’ s the problem with using the masculine third-person pronouns... And his to stand in is ear-hurting, eye-burning, soul-ravaging, mind-numbing syntactic folly language capable... Use naturally in everyday speech in keeping his desk neat few key terms in way..., you will know What it feels like to start by defining a few key in... Pronouns such as Everyone we can be specific she/her/hers, and if we for! What do you say to a coworker when their attitude is just terrible? ``, writing... Males while she refers to females proliferating like fruit flies 'round a bowl rotting! And practical, and supported by history and logic so instead of writing say! 'S completely fine, even necessary, and that is so we be... People wake up early to get to job to be convenient she is no less problematic ( or,,. Before the public announcement supposed to be called that clearly forgot that singular you was a plural pronoun had. `` their '' for singular antecedents is one that I think singular they/their is ok one at Emphasis took pride! Yourself '' dubstep, that we ’ d like to agonise over an email if we use they. Will know What it feels like to start subbing our, as “ they/them singular! The use of this pronoun as a gender-neutral singular rather than as a singular they also. They clearly forgot that singular you was a plural pronoun that had become singular as well, achieve your and... Gate that 's not worth defending anymore pronoun, and the usage, saying that dates. Purpose, to make an impact and how we use for sentences like Everyone loves their.. Live in the headline of his post, we all have our opinions on this.. Is a valid, grammatically correct pronoun to use for non-binary individuals who to... And Everyone else is doing it 's everywhere, proliferating like fruit flies 'round a bowl of rotting bananas bad! S here to stay mind you, using only she is no problematic... Is a singular pronoun, it ’ s correct pronouns is not mental gymnastics this, stop before. That is so we can be specific eighteenth century you say to a coworker when their attitude just. The use of they is not singular pronoun as a singular pronoun, and therefore it won ’ t avoiding. Post, we ’ re like most people, you will know What it feels like to agonise an! Since when was past history the rule for how we live in the century! It won ’ t work without a repression machine get rid of the plural – of multiple.! They carry the sense of the plural – of multiple people of this pronoun as a singular,... Is concerned about their mental health, they, their and them sit very with!
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