They
They
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling and Syllable Breakdown:
They
/ðeɪ/
/ð/ - voiced dental fricative (as in "this" or "that")
/eɪ/ - diphthong (as in "day" or "say")
Word Form Variations
“They" is a pronoun and does not have typical singular/plural forms in the same way nouns or verbs do. Its variations are primarily its different case forms:
Nominative (Subject): They
Accusative/Dative (Object): Them
Genitive (Possessive Determiner): Their
Genitive (Possessive Pronoun): Theirs
Reflexive/Emphatic: Themselves
It's important to note that while "they" traditionally referred to plural antecedents, its use as a singular, gender-neutral pronoun is now widely accepted and used, especially when the gender of the referent is unknown or unspecified.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Pronoun
They
Refers to two or more people, animals, or things previously mentioned or easily identified.
Example: "The students arrived late; they missed the first part of the lecture."
Synonyms: Them (object form), those (demonstrative), all of them, the group, the people
Antonyms: I, you, he, she, it (singular pronouns)
Used to refer to a single person whose gender is not specified or is unknown.
Example: "If a customer calls, tell them I'll be back soon." or "My friend Alex uses they/them pronouns."
Synonyms: One (impersonal), a person (when generalizing), he or she (more formal, often avoided for singular they)
Antonyms: He, she (gender-specific singular pronouns)
Refers to people in general, or to a general group of unspecified individuals (often used in an indefinite or impersonal sense).
Example: "They say it's going to rain tomorrow." or "They're building a new hospital down the road."
Synonyms: People, folks, the public, unspecified individuals, some
Antonyms: I, we (specific, identified groups)
Examples of Use
Books:
"When the new family moved in, they brought with them a strange dog and an even stranger cat." (Smith, J. The Mystery of Elmwood Manor, 2023)
"The author uses 'they' throughout the narrative when referring to the protagonist, whose gender is intentionally left ambiguous." (Analysis of a contemporary novel, Literary Studies Quarterly, Spring 2024)
Newspapers:
"Local authorities reported that they are investigating the recent surge in petty crime, urging residents to report any suspicious activity." (The Nairobi Standard, July 3, 2025)
"A spokesperson for the company stated, 'We believe they have the right to protest peacefully, and we respect their decision.'" (The East African Daily, July 2, 2025)
Online Publications:
"If someone parks their car illegally, they could face a hefty fine." (KenyaTrafficLaws.org, Understanding Parking Regulations, June 15, 2025)
"Many users prefer this new feature because they find it more intuitive and user-friendly." (TechCrunch.com, App Review, July 1, 2025)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Show: "Did you see that? They just vanished into thin air!" (Dialogue from a fantasy series, e.g., Mystic Realm, streaming on Netflix, Episode 5, 2024)
Music: "They say that good things come to those who wait." (Lyric from a popular song, e.g., "They Say," Artist X, 2020)
Film: "The creatures started to gather, and they looked hungry." (Narration from a horror film, e.g., The Unseen, 2022)
Podcast: "Our next guest identifies as non-binary, and they will be sharing their journey with us today." (The Inclusive Voice Podcast, Episode 78, June 27, 2025)
General Public Discourse:
At a coffee shop: "My friend told me they got a new job, and they're really excited about it." (Casual conversation, July 4, 2025)
During a public meeting: "When a person feels unheard, they often disengage from the process." (Community leader, Public Forum, June 20, 2025)
In a classroom: "What do they mean by 'supply and demand' in economics?" (Student asking a question, July 1, 2025)
10 Famous Quotes Using They
"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. They were all unhappy families in their own way." (Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina, 1877/1878)
"Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man. Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own." (John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, 1961 - using "they" implicitly through "fellow citizens of the world" or "you" when referring to others' actions)
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." (Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken," 1916 - no direct "they," but often recited/paraphrased in discussions about choices people make, using "they" for others' paths)
"They can because they think they can." (Virgil, Aeneid, c. 19 BC - often quoted for its motivational aspect)
"And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man." (John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, 1961 - specifically the latter sentence implies "they" in the global context)
"They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself." (Andy Warhol, The Philosophy of Andy Warhol (From A to B and Back Again), 1975)
"They're going to try to take your dignity. They're going to try to take your spirit. Don't let them." (Desmond Tutu, various speeches and writings)
"When they go low, we go high." (Michelle Obama, Democratic National Convention, 2016)
"They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist—" (Last words attributed to Union General John Sedgwick, killed at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, 1864 - an ironic and well-known historical quote)
"They can conquer who believe they can." (Virgil, Aeneid, c. 19 BC - similar to quote 4, but a common variant or alternative translation that is widely recognized)
Etymology
The word "they" has a really interesting history because it didn't come directly from Old English, like many other common words. Instead, it was borrowed!
Here's a breakdown:
The Origin (Surprisingly Not English!): "They" comes from Old Norse, specifically the word "þeir" (pronounced something like "thair"). Old Norse was the language spoken by the Vikings.
Why We Needed It: In Old English, the language spoken before the Norman Conquest, the words for "they" were different (like "hie" or "hi"). However, after the Vikings started settling and interacting with English speakers, especially in the north of England, their language started to blend. The Old English pronouns were sometimes a bit confusing because they sounded too similar to words for "he," "she," and "them."
First Known Use and Meaning:
The earliest known uses of "they" (or forms very close to it, like "þeȝȝ") started appearing in English texts around the 12th and 13th centuries. One notable early example is in the "Ormulum," a collection of English sermons from around 1180, which used "þeȝȝ" as the plural subject pronoun.
From its very first appearance in English, "they" had the same core meaning it does today: to refer to a group of people or things.
The Journey to Modern Use: Over time, "þeir" from Old Norse gradually replaced the native Old English pronouns for "they," "them," and "their," becoming the standard words we use today. This is why "they," "them," and "their" all start with "th-" and look similar, unlike "he/him/his" or "she/her/hers," which came from different Old English roots.
So, in simple terms, "they" is a loanword from Viking language that helped make English clearer by providing distinct pronouns for groups of people or things.
Phrases + Idioms Containing They
"They say..." (Common idiom: Used to introduce a widely held belief or common knowledge, often attributed to unnamed or general sources.)
"They live among us." (Lesser-known/pop culture phrase: Often used in science fiction or conspiracy theories to suggest hidden entities, e.g., aliens or secret societies.)
"They've got your number." (Idiom with synonym "they": Meaning someone knows your true intentions, weaknesses, or how to deal with you.)
"They don't know what hit them." (Common phrase: Used to describe someone being completely blindsided or overwhelmed by an event.)
"They're all the same." (Common phrase: Expresses a generalization, often negative, about a group of people or things.)
"Let them eat cake." (Famous historical quote often used idiomatically: Implies a callous disregard for the struggles of the less fortunate, attributed to Marie Antoinette.)
"If they only knew..." (Common phrase: Suggests there's hidden information or a secret that, if revealed, would change perceptions.)
"They who hesitate are lost." (Proverbial idiom: Emphasizes the importance of quick decision-making.)
"They're coming for us." (Lesser-known/pop culture phrase: Implies impending danger or pursuit, often from an unseen or collective enemy.)
"The grass is always greener on their side." (Idiom with synonym "their": Refers to the perception that others' situations are always better than one's own.)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of They from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
