Snap Language

What is a Singular “They?”

Usually, personal pronoun “they” (and its other forms “them,” “their," “theirs," “themselves”) refers back to a plural noun or pronoun. In this example, “they,” “them,” and “themselves” refer back to the plural noun “children:”

I was angry with my children because, when I saw them after work, they had hurt themselves playing with matches.

Nonetheless, in some situations “they” can refer back to a singular noun or pronoun. This is referred to as the singular “they.”

Avoiding Sexist Language

”He or She” or “She or He"

To avoid sexist language and keep the noun singular (for example, when referring to “anyone” or “a student"), you can use “he or she” (well, or “she or he”) as in, for example,

You can see that using “he or she” (”him or her” or “his or her" or “himself or herself" and so on) can get repetitive and awkward. That is why people prefer to use “they” even when it refers back to a singular noun or pronoun.

Is the Singular “They” Grammatical?

Currently, more and more publishers and grammarians have come to accept it as part of standard grammar (again) especially because it allows speakers and writers to avoid the repetitive and awkward “he or she” or “she or he.”

Avoiding the Singular “They”

If for whatever reason you want to or need to avoid using the singular “they,” you can use one of the strategies below.

Strategy: Change the Noun or Pronoun to Plural

	Do Not Say	Say
	Each student has his or her own book.	Students have their own books.
	If anyone calls, tell them I’ll be back tomorrow.	If any clients call, tell them I’ll be back tomorrow.
	No one can bring their phones into the examination room.	Test takers cannot bring their phones into the examination room.

Strategy: Rewrite the Sentence

	Do Not Say	Say
	Anyone who is going with us needs to bring their own food.	Those interested in going with us need to bring their own food. If you are going with us, you need to bring your own food.
	If anyone calls, tell them I’ll be back tomorrow.	Tell any callers that I’ll be back tomorrow.
	No one can bring their phones into the examination room.	Phones are not allowed in the examination room.

Note. Using “you” as a pronoun to avoid the singular “they” can potentially create a new issue if if you are instructed to avoid the impersonal “you” in your writing.

Disclaimer

If you are required to follow a grammar and style manual, be sure that the singular “they” is acceptable. Otherwise, avoid it so you are in compliance.

Similarly, if you are a college student, ask your instructors whether they find the singular “they” acceptable or not. Even though style manuals such as APA, MLA, and Chicago endorse the singular “they” so that you avoid making assumptions about gender (e.g., see MLA Style Center), some (old guard) college professors may still instruct and require you not to use it. If so, use one of the techniques in this lesson to revise or rewrite sentences. (See “Practice” below.

 Practice