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0 pointss3r3nity9y ago0 comments

I think it's not grammatically accurate to use "them" and "they" for a singular subject; if it's one person or thing, the pronoun should be he/she/it or some combination. For press releases, the safe option is to be grammatically correct than colloquially acceptable.

Nevertheless it could be one of those things that is in flux as part of the evolution of the English language.

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5 comments · 5 top-level

optimuspaul9y ago

I don't think it's a grammar thing at all it's a definition of the words thing, which guess what, it's covered already!

they

pronoun 1. used to refer to two or more people or things previously mentioned or easily identified. "the two men could get life sentences if they are convicted" informal a group of people in authority regarded collectively. "they cut my water off"

2. used to refer to a person of unspecified sex. "ask someone if they could help"

Lazare9y ago

> think it's not grammatically accurate to use "them" and "they" for a singular subject;

That is incorrect. The "singular they" is grammatically correct and has been in common English use since the 14th century. (There is a very modern impression that this usage isn't somehow incorrect or non-traditional, but it has zero factual backing.)

The only reason to avoid the "singular they" is that it may annoy some people who incorrectly believe it to be ungrammatical.

gohrt9y ago

It is "Grammatically accurate" as the writer and reader thing it is. English has no official grammar. Singular "they" has been a singular pronoun for centuries.

jvagner9y ago

it is grammatically acceptable to do so.. historically speaking, "they" and "them" were singular-inclusive pronouns.

philtar9y ago

It is actually correct and is considered more respectful. e.g You don't refer to a king as he, you refer to a king as they.

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