their

their
they, them, their
These three pronouns have all been used since the 16c to refer back to a singular pronoun, especially an indefinite pronoun such as anyone, everyone, nobody, someone, etc.:

• If someone walks across it, they interrupt the beam —P. Niesewand, 1979

• It could be you, your sister or your girlfriend who tries to abandon their child next —Big Issue, 1998

• Before you entrust your children to a babysitter, ask them into your home so that you can talk over what's involved in the job —BUPA Factsheet, 2004 [OEC].

The value of this device has been enhanced in recent years by its validity as a gender-neutral option in place of more awkward conventions such as he or she, his or her, etc. For a fuller discussion of this issue see gender-neutrality.

Modern English usage. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Their — Their, pron. & a. [OE. thair, fr. Icel. [thorn]eirra, [thorn]eira, of them, but properly gen. pl. of the definite article; akin to AS. [eth][=a]ra, [eth][=ae]ra, gen. pl. of the definite article, or fr. AS. [eth][=ae]ra, influenced by the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • their — adjective Etymology: Middle English, from their, pronoun, from Old Norse theirra, genitive plural demonstrative & personal pronoun; akin to Old English thæt that Date: 13th century 1. of or relating to them or themselves especially as possessors …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Their — He He (h[=e]), pron. [nom. {He}; poss. {His} (h[i^]z); obj. {Him} (h[i^]m); pl. nom. {They} ([th][=a]); poss. {Their} or {Theirs} ([th][^a]rz or [th][=a]rz); obj. {Them} ([th][e^]m).] [AS. h[=e], masc., he[ o], fem., hit, neut.; pl. h[=i], or hie …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Their — She She, pron. [sing. nom. {She}; poss. {Her}. or {Hers}; obj. {Her}; pl. nom. {They}; poss. {Their}or {Theirs}; obj. {Them}.] [OE. she, sche, scheo, scho, AS. se[ o], fem. of the definite article, originally a demonstrative pronoun; cf. OS. siu …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Their Trotsky and Ours — is a political book by the American Communist Jack Barnes, leader of the Socialist Workers Party. It is based on Barnes speech and explains the SWP s view on Trotskyism. Barnes repudiated the traditional Trotskyist understanding of Permanent… …   Wikipedia

  • Their Eyes Were Watching God — For the television film of the same name, see Their Eyes Were Watching God (film). Their Eyes Were Watching God   …   Wikipedia

  • Their Satanic Majesties Request — Infobox Album | Name = Their Satanic Majesties Request Type = Album Artist = The Rolling Stones Released = 8 December 1967 (UK) 9 December 1967 (US) Recorded = 9 February 23 October 1967Olympic Studios, London, England Genre = Psychedelic rock… …   Wikipedia

  • Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) — Infobox Album | Name = Their Greatest Hits (1971 1975) Type = Compilation album Artist = the Eagles Released = February 17, 1976 Recorded = 1971 1975 Genre = Various styles of Rock Length = 43:08 Label = Asylum Producer = Glyn Johns Bill Szymczyk …   Wikipedia

  • Their System Doesn't Work for You — Infobox Album Name = Their System Doesn t Work For You Type = studio Artist = Anti Flag Released = 1998 Recorded = Spring of 1996 Genre = Punk rock Length = 57:30 Label = A F Producer = Reviews = * Allmusic Rating|2.5|5… …   Wikipedia

  • Their Rock Is Not Our Rock — Infobox Album | Name = Their Rock Is Not Our Rock Type = Album Artist = Fireball Ministry Released = October 18, 2005 Re Released = Recorded = Genre = Stoner metal Length = Label = Liquor And Poker Music Producer = Reviews = Last album = The… …   Wikipedia

  • Their Purple Moment — Infobox Film name = Their Purple Moment caption = Theatrical poster for Their Purple Moment (1928) director = James Parrott producer = Hal Roach writer = H.M. Walker (titles) starring = Stan Laurel Oliver Hardy Anita Garvin Kay Deslys Fay… …   Wikipedia

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