used to refer to two or more people, animals, or things already mentioned or easy to identify, acting as the subject of a verb
They are playing soccer in the park.
They have finished their homework and are watching TV together.
✦ Old English hīe, hī, late Anglo-Saxon period; related to Old Norse þeir. Modern form influenced by Scandinavian languages.
used to mean people in general, or an unnamed group such as the government, experts, or authorities
They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
They have raised the price of gas again this month.
✦ Extension of the plural pronoun to refer to an indefinite group dates back to at least the 16th century.
used as a singular, gender-neutral pronoun to refer to one person when that person’s gender is unknown, unspecified, or non-binary, functioning as the subject of a verb
Sam said they will be here by six o’clock.
Someone left a wallet on the counter; I hope they come back for it.
✦ The singular use developed in Middle English for indefinite or generic reference; modern intentional use for non-binary identity emerged in the late 20th century.
the object form of “they”, referring to two or more people, animals, or things already known or mentioned
I told them about the party, and they were excited.
Pick those flowers and put them in a vase.
✦ Old English “þǣm” or “him”, dative plural of the demonstrative pronoun; modern spelling stabilized after Middle English.
used as a gender-neutral object pronoun for one person when the person’s gender is unknown, not specified, or non-binary
I met the new designer yesterday and gave them the project brief.
Someone left their umbrella; shall we return it to them?
✦ Same historical origin as the plural form; the singular use became common in English writings from the 14th century and is now widely accepted.
the reflexive form of “they”; used when the people (or a person who uses they/them pronouns) do an action to or for their own selves
They blamed themselves for the mistake.
The children hid themselves behind the sofa during hide-and-seek.
used after “they” or “them” for emphasis, showing that those people (and not others) are the ones acting or being referred to
The engineers themselves were amazed by the result.
They themselves admitted the plan needed changes.
