they

theypronoun

1. people or thingsused as the subject of a sentence to refer to two or more people or things already mentioned or clear from context

   They is the subject form; the object form is them, the possessive determiner is their, and the independent possessive is theirs.

   • Kim and Sara are here; they arrived early.
   • Where are the keys? They are on the table.
   • They work at the hospital together.
   • My neighbors are friendly; they often wave hello.

2. any genderused as the subject of a sentence to refer to a single person whose sex is not stated or not known, or who is neither male nor female

   This use, often called singular they, is now the standard neutral choice for a person referred to in general terms, whose sex is unknown or not to be assumed, or who identifies outside the categories of male and female and uses they for themselves. It takes a plural verb even when it refers to one person: they are, not they is.

   • Someone left their umbrella here; I hope they come back for it.
   • If a customer complains, they should be treated politely.
   • Ask the new student if they need any help.
   • Sam doesn't use he or she; please call them by name or use they instead.

See also them; their; theirs; he (the older generic use of he, now widely avoided)