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Breez Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

They

Is they widely accepted as a 3rd person singular alternative?
  

Top answer

Hello Breez The use of "they" for "he or she" and "their" for "his or her" (or where the *** of the referent is unimportant or unknown) is very common. It's by no means a new usage; it dates from at least the 13th century, and can be found in the works of many significant writers. Here are some examples of "their" in place of "his or her": 1.

  • Hello Breez The use of "they" for "he or she" and "their" for "his or her" (or where the *** of the referent is unimportant or unknown) is very common.
  • It's by no means a new usage; it dates from at least the 13th century, and can be found in the works of many significant writers.
  • Here are some examples of "their" in place of "his or her": 1.
  • A person can't help their birth.
  • (Thackeray) 2.
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1 Answers
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Hello Breez

The use of "they" for "he or she" and "their" for "his or her" (or where the *** of the referent is unimportant or unknown) is very common.

It's by no means a new usage; it dates from at least the 13th century, and can be found in the works of many significant writers. Here are some examples of "their" in place of "his or her":

1. A person can't help their

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