A single person can be referred to with they, whether their gender is unknown or these are their pronouns.
The idea
Use they as subject, them as object and their before a noun. Even for one person, say they are and they have.
Examples
- Someone left their umbrella by the door.
- If a customer calls, ask them to leave a message.
- The new neighbour says they are a musician.
- Alex uses they and them pronouns; I met them at the library.
- Every applicant should check their email tomorrow.
- A visitor is waiting because they need a map.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.
No English device voice is available. You can still read the examples.
Watch out
Do not use they is: the verb has the same form as with plural they. Respect the pronouns a person uses.
Try it yourself
Choose the correct option. A guest has arrived. Please welcome ___. (them / their)
Show answer or example answer
them
them is the object of the verb welcoming the guest.
Choose the correct option. Someone forgot ___ ticket. (their / them)
Show answer or example answer
their
their comes before the noun ticket.
Choose the correct option. Sam uses they/them pronouns. ___ are waiting outside. (They / He)
Show answer or example answer
They
They refers to Sam and takes are.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the correct option. A guest has arrived. Please welcome ___. (them / their)
Choose the correct option. Someone forgot ___ ticket. (their / them)
Choose the correct option. Sam uses they/them pronouns. ___ are waiting outside. (They / He)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Describe a visitor without naming their gender, then write a sentence about someone who uses they pronouns.