# they

/ˈðeɪ/ (US) · /ðˈeɪ/ (UK) · CEFR A1 · Pronoun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/they
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

the word you use to talk about a group of people, animals, or things. You can also use it for one person when you do not know if they are a man or a woman, or if they prefer not to say.

For teachers: the third-person plural personal pronoun, used as the subject of a verb to refer to two or more people or things previously mentioned. Also functions as a singular pronoun to refer to an individual of unspecified gender or a person who uses 'they/them' pronouns.

## Examples

- They are waiting for the bus outside.
- If a student forgets their umbrella, they can borrow one from the front desk.
- While the committee members disagreed on the specific timeline, they eventually reached a consensus regarding the primary objectives of the expansion project.

## Pitfalls

- Not "They is coming to the party." but "They are coming to the party." — Even when 'they' refers to a single person, it must be paired with a plural verb.

## Usage notes

- Functions as the subject of the sentence; always takes a plural verb form even when used as a singular pronoun.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.