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English grammar

Generic you, one, we and singular they

C1 · Advanced Referring to people and things Questions 10

The rule

To talk about people in general, English uses you (the most common, informal: You never know), one (formal and somewhat old-fashioned: One must be careful), we (people including the speaker: We all make mistakes), they (people in authority or in general: They say it will rain), and the passive or people. With one, stay consistent: one’s, oneself — not one … your. they, them, their and themselves also refer to a single person whose gender is unknown or irrelevant, or who uses they: If anyone calls, tell them I’m out; Each student must bring their own laptop; Someone left their umbrella, didn’t they? Singular they takes a plural verb (they are) and is standard in modern British English, formal writing included. Avoid generic he, and avoid repeating he or she through a text.

Pattern

people in general: you (common) · one / one’s / oneself (formal) · we (including me) · they (authorities, people) · passive · one person, gender unknown: they / them / their / themselves + plural verb

Examples

  1. You never know what might happen on a long journey.

  2. One should always read the contract before signing it.

  3. If a customer calls, ask them to leave a number.

  4. Someone has left their keys on the table.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: One must look after your health.

    Right: One must look after one’s health.

    Do not mix one with your.

  • Wrong: Each applicant must bring his CV.

    Right: Each applicant must bring their CV.

    For a person of unknown gender, modern English uses their.

  • Wrong: Somebody left their coat, didn’t he?

    Right: Somebody left their coat, didn’t they?

    The tag after somebody uses they.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Fill in the gap.

    If anyone asks for me, tell _____ I’ll be back at two.

    1. it
    2. them
    3. their
    4. they
    Show answer

    Answer: B If anyone asks for me, tell them I’ll be back at two.

    Object form of singular they: them.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Everyone has they own opinion about it.
    2. Everyone has their own opinion about it.
    3. Everyone have their own opinion about it.
    4. Everyone has there own opinion about it.
    Show answer

    Answer: B Everyone has their own opinion about it.

    everyone + singular verb, then their.

  3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

    Who does you refer to?

    You can’t smoke anywhere in the station.

    1. The station staff
    2. People in general
    3. Only the listener
    4. The speaker
    Show answer

    Answer: B People in general

    Generic you = anyone.

  4. 4This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    One should always keep your promises.

    1. One should always keep their promise’s.
    2. One should always keep ones promises.
    3. One should always keeps one’s promises.
    4. One should always keep one’s promises.
    Show answer

    Answer: D One should always keep one’s promises.

    Stay consistent: one … one’s.

  5. 5Change the sentence.

    Make it neutral about gender.

    Every guest must show his ticket at the door.

    1. Every guest must show they ticket at the door.
    2. Every guest must show theirs ticket at the door.
    3. Every guest must show there ticket at the door.
    4. Every guest must show their ticket at the door.
    Show answer

    Answer: D Every guest must show their ticket at the door.

    Singular their for a person of unknown gender.

  6. 6Choose the correct sentence.

    Which is the most formal?

    Giving general advice.

    1. Check the facts first, yeah?
    2. We should all check facts, like.
    3. One ought to check the facts before commenting.
    4. You should check the facts first, really.
    Show answer

    Answer: C One ought to check the facts before commenting.

    Generic one is formal.

  7. 7Put the words in the right order.

    Someone has left their phone in the kitchen

    Show answer

    Answer: Someone has left their phone in the kitchen.

    someone … their.

  8. 8Choose the correct sentence.

    1. If a student is ill, they should emails the office.
    2. If a student is ill, it should email the office.
    3. If a student is ill, they should email the office.
    4. If a student is ill, he or she should email to the office.
    Show answer

    Answer: C If a student is ill, they should email the office.

    Singular they + plural verb form.

  9. 9Choose the correct sentence.

    Who are they?

    They say the new bridge will open in June.

    1. The bridge builders only
    2. People in general, or the authorities
    3. The listener’s family
    4. A specific group the speaker named
    Show answer

    Answer: B People in general, or the authorities

    Generic they = people, the authorities.

  10. 10Fill in the gap.

    Somebody left their umbrella here, didn’t _____?

    1. somebody
    2. they
    3. it
    4. he
    Show answer

    Answer: B Somebody left their umbrella here, didn’t they?

    The tag after somebody is they.

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