Buzz
While grammar purists may cringe at the thought, we should normalize using 'they/them' as singular pronouns. In 2021, it's time to let go of outdated rules like 'he or she, his or her'.
Using gender-neutral pronouns in both speech and writing is perfectly reasonable—and it actually makes grammatical sense. Even though 'they' traditionally serves as a plural pronoun, changing this usage won’t break any grammatical rules.
You might face disapproval from certain grammar purists who claim you’re making a major mistake. But in reality, they’re the ones who have it wrong.
'They' has served as a singular pronoun for over 600 years
From the start of our English lessons, we're taught that 'they' only refers to plural subjects. But that’s simply not true. The earliest recorded use of the singular 'they' can be traced back to the 14th century, appearing in the medieval romance *William and the Werewolf*.
According to the *Oxford English Dictionary*, the origins of the singular 'they' may actually go back even earlier.
Since spoken language often predates written texts, it’s likely that the singular 'they' was in use before the late 14th century, making this already old form even older.
The fact that 'they' has existed as a singular pronoun, representing individuals of any gender, for nearly 600 years should be proof enough that this isn't some new rule being imposed. In fact, singular 'they' can be found throughout literary history.
As highlighted by the BBC in 2019:
The singular 'they' can be traced back to 1386, where it appeared in Geoffrey Chaucer’s *The Canterbury Tales*, and it also appears in iconic works such as Shakespeare’s *Hamlet* in 1599.
The use of 'they' and 'them' to refer to individuals continued into the 17th century, as seen in Jane Austen's 1813 novel *Pride and Prejudice*.
There are even more instances, as Purdue University points out, ranging from Wycliffe’s 1382 translation of the Bible to Shakespeare’s *Much Ado About Nothing*, where the Bard writes:
"To strange sores, strangely they straine the cure"
Grammar is always shifting and adapting over time.
It might seem surprising, but it’s true that change is the only constant in grammar and language. A great example is the word you, which is commonly understood to be singular today, but once had a more flexible role, serving as both singular and plural for a long period.
As Oxford clarifies:
For centuries, you was used as a polite singular form, but in the 1600s, singular you overtook thou, thee, and thy, except in some dialects. This shift wasn’t without pushback. In 1660, George Fox, founder of Quakerism, penned a book condemning anyone who used singular you as a fool or an idiot. Even grammarians in the 1700s, like Robert Lowth and Lindley Murray, insisted that thou be singular and you be plural, despite the fact that students would use singular you in secret and teachers would secretly do the same with their students.
you
in these cases.
The way you is used has transformed, showing that the ongoing changes to pronouns today are perfectly normal. While you might face criticism for not adhering to certain grammar books or style guides, it's important to remember that language is constantly evolving, and lexicons are no exception.
Purdue University offers insight on this matter:
Grammar evolves over time; take, for instance, the cumbersome
he or she
which a singular
they
has recently taken the place of. The singular use of
they
has actually been around for quite some time and is commonly used in everyday speech. You’ve likely used it yourself without even realizing it. What we’re currently seeing is a reorientation of the rule, primarily aimed at making language more inclusive.
It also fosters greater inclusivity
The point is that using non-gendered pronouns is a more inclusive approach, and it doesn’t have to be a controversial issue. Formal statements addressed to groups can benefit from adopting this style. For example, instead of saying, “employees should store personal items in his or her locker,” you can say “their locker.” Or instead of, “the owner of the Blue Honda Civic must move his or her car,” you can simply say “their car.”
Not only does this approach better account for the growing number of people who don’t conform to the traditional gender model, but it also sounds much smoother. And yes, it’s grammatically correct too.
