Yes, you can use "they" as a singular pronoun for one person. This practice, called the singular they, has been used in English since the late 14th century and is widely accepted in modern usage.
The singular they replaces he or she when referring to one person whose gender is unknown or irrelevant. It's also used when someone doesn't identify with binary pronouns.
For example:
Someone left their phone behind.
(We don't know who it belongs to, but we use "their" for the singular subject.)| Context | Example |
|---|---|
| Unknown gender | If anyone calls while I'm out, tell them I'll return their call. |
| Non-binary identity | Taylor uses they/them pronouns. They prefer this to he or she. |
| Gender-neutral situations | Every student must do their homework. |
Singular they appears in literature, journalism, and everyday speech. The American Dialect Society named it the Word of the Year in 2015. Many style guides, including those from the Associated Press and the Washington Post, endorse its use.
According to the Pew Research Center, 6% of Americans use nonbinary pronouns like singular they. This reflects growing acceptance of gender diversity.
Some people think singular they is grammatically incorrect because it doesn't match traditional subject-verb agreement. However, English has always had irregular pronouns (like "I" and "you"). The singular they follows the same pattern.
Another myth is that singular they is new. In reality, writers like Shakespeare and Jane Austen used it centuries ago. The Oxford English Dictionary traces its use back to 1375.
Imagine you're writing an email to a customer service representative whose name you don't know. You'd say:
"Thank you for your help. Please let them know I appreciate their quick response."
This avoids assuming the representative's gender and keeps the language inclusive.
I've used singular they in professional writing for years. It helps create more inclusive content without making assumptions about people's identities. Most readers adapt quickly to the pattern.