The Singular 'They': Is This Pronoun Grammatically Correct?

The Singular 'They': A Modern Grammar Debate

Is Using 'They' as a Singular Pronoun Grammatically Correct?

While riding the train recently, I overheard someone say, "Someone left their bag on the train." This seemingly simple sentence sparked a question: Is it grammatically correct?

Traditional Grammar Rules vs. Modern Usage

Traditional English grammar dictates using the singular pronoun "he" when the gender of a person is unknown. Therefore, the sentence should be, "Someone left his bag on the train."

However, many native English speakers would find nothing wrong with the original sentence. In spoken English, using "they" and "their" as singular pronouns when the gender is unknown or to avoid specifying gender is common.

Alternative Approaches to Gender-Neutral Pronouns

Writers often employ various strategies to avoid gender bias:

• Using both "he" and "she"
• Using "he/she" or "him/her"
• Using gender-neutral pronouns

Gender-neutral pronouns gained popularity in virtual communities and are increasingly used in other contexts. For example, Sweden adopted the gender-neutral pronoun "hen" in 2012.

The University of Wisconsin's Recommendations

A student organization at the University of Wisconsin advocates for using gender-neutral pronouns to respect transgender individuals.

The Perspective of Copy Editors

Teresa Schmedding, an editor at the Daily Herald Media Group and a member of the American Copy Editors Society (ACES), notes that the use of the singular "they" has been a topic of discussion among editors.

Embracing Language Evolution

Ms. Schmedding acknowledges the evolving nature of language: "Language is a constantly evolving thing and we need to evolve. … It has become so common, in our language now, that people frequently use the singular ‘they’ all the time. My question is, what’s the harm?"

Guidance from 'The Chicago Manual of Style'

'The Chicago Manual of Style' recommends using plural nouns to avoid gender-specific pronouns when the gender is unknown. For instance:

Instead of: "Each student brought his or her book to class."

Use: "The students brought their books to class."

Prioritizing Clarity in Writing

Ms. Schmedding emphasizes the importance of clarity in writing: "The overriding issue is clarity. We want people to understand what we are saying. So if people already understand when you use the singular 'they' what you mean, why make up a new word?"

Historical Usage of the Singular 'They'

Interestingly, the singular "they" has historical precedent. Literary giants like Chaucer, Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and George Bernard Shaw used it in their works.

The late 18th century saw grammarians discouraging the use of the singular "they." However, its widespread usage today suggests a shift back towards acceptance.

Conclusion: The Singular 'They' in Modern English

The use of the singular "they" reflects the dynamic nature of language and its adaptation to societal changes. As Ms. Schmedding aptly points out, if its meaning is clear and widely understood, perhaps it's time to embrace this evolving aspect of English grammar.

By Jonathan Evans

Story by Dr. Jill Robbins for Learning English. Edited by Ashley Thompson.

Words in This Story

singular - adj. showing or indicating no more than one thing

gender - n. the state of being male or female; sex

discriminate - v. to unfairly treat a person or group of people differently from other people or groups

gender-neutral - adj. a word or expression that cannot be taken to refer to one gender only

virtual - adj. existing or occurring on computers or on the Internet

transgender - adj. of or relating to people who have a sexual identity that is not clearly male or clearly female

copy editor - n. a person whose job is to prepare a book, newspaper, etc., for printing by making sure the words are correct