Why are gender neutral pronouns plural?

In basic terms, this means that he and she are not sufficient to describe the genders of all people, because not all people are either male or female. As such, the phrase “he or she” does not cover the full range of persons. The alternative pronoun most commonly used is they, often referred to as singular they.

Why should we use the gender neutral singular pronoun they in academic writing?

APA advocates for the singular “they” because it is inclusive of all people and helps writers avoid making assumptions about gender.

Can plural be singular?

Like the “singular you”, “singular they” permits a singular antecedent, but is used with the same verb forms as plural they, and has the same inflected forms as plural they (i.e. them, their, and theirs), except that in the reflexive form, themself is sometimes used instead of themselves.

Are gender-neutral pronouns grammatically correct?

While the use, in formal English, of he, him or his as a gender-neutral pronoun has traditionally been considered grammatically correct, such use may also be considered to be a violation of gender agreement.

Why is “they” a singular gender-neutral pronoun?

This is why “they” is often used in colloquial English as a singular gender-neutral pronoun for people who probably aren’t genderqueer. (“Who is at the door?” “Dunno – go see what they want.”) “They” is often used this way, and has been used this way since the Shakespearean era.

What is the correct way to use the pronoun they?

Merriam-Webster sums up the situation well in their usage note for they: They, their, them, themselves: English lacks a common-gender third person singular pronoun that can be used to refer to indefinite pronouns (as everyone, anyone, someone).

Is it singular or plural they?

Merriam-Webster includes usage examples of the singular they dating back to Shakespeare, with notable additions from the likes of Jane Austen and even the traditionalist W. H. Auden. The singular they is nothing new, but in making our language more inclusive of people of a myriad of genders, this simple word is becoming more and more important.

Is the plural use of “they” “non-standard” English?

Many opposed to gender-neutral pronouns claim that singular use of “they” is “ non-standard ” English; the National Review decries “stupid people” engaged in an “asinine effort” to “de-pluralize ‘they’”. The sentence “ They are my good friend” may strike you as ungrammatical.