They used as an indefinite subject (sense 2) is sometimes objected to on the grounds that it does not have an antecedent. Not every pronoun requires an antecedent, however. The indefinite they is used in all varieties of contexts and is standard.
They, their, them, themselves: English lacks a common-gender third person singular pronoun that can be used to refer to indefinite pronouns (as everyone, anyone, someone). Writers and speakers have supplied this lack by using the plural pronouns <and every one to rest themselves betake — Shakespeare> <I would have everybody marry if they can do it properly — Jane Austen> <it is too hideous for anyone in their senses to buy — W. H. Auden>. The plural pronouns have also been put to use as pronouns of indefinite number to refer to singular nouns that stand for many persons <'tis meet that some more audience than a mother, since nature makes them partial, should o'erhear the speech — Shakespeare> <a person can't help their birth — W. M. Thackeray> <no man goes to battle to be killed. — But they do get killed — G. B. Shaw>. The use of they, their, them, and themselves as pronouns of indefinite gender and indefinite number is well established in speech and writing, even in literary and formal contexts. This gives you the option of using the plural pronouns where you think they sound best, and of using the singular pronouns (as he, she, he or she, and their inflected forms) where you think they sound best.
Dictionary
their
adjective \thər, ˈther\
: relating to or belonging to certain people, animals, or things : made or done by certain people, animals, or things
: his or her : his : her : its
Full Definition of THEIR
1
: of or relating to them or themselves especially as possessors, agents, or objects of an action <their furniture> <their verses> <their being seen>
2
See their defined for English-language learners
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Usage Discussion of THEIR
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Origin of THEIR
Middle English, from their, pron., from Old Norse theirra, genitive plural demonstrative & personal pron.; akin to Old English thæt that
First Known Use: 13th century
Rhymes with THEIR
air, Ayr, bare, bear, Blair, blare, care, chair, chare, dare, Dare, e'er, ere, err, eyre, fair, fare, flair, flare, glair, glare, hair, hare, Herr, heir, lair, mare, ne'er, pair, pare, pear, prayer, rare, rear, scare, share, snare, spare, square, stair, stare, swear, tare, tear, there, vair, ware, wear, weir, where, yare
THEIR Defined for Kids
their
adjective \thər, ˈther\
Definition of THEIR for Kids
: of or relating to them or themselves especially as owners or as agents or objects of an action <their clothes> <their deeds>
Headscratcher for THEIR
It's easy to mix up their, they're and there. Their and they're are both forms of the third person pronoun. Their means “belonging to them.” They're means “they are.” There is not related in meaning but means “in that place.” Here is a sentence that uses all three: They're on their way there.
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