they

they — 代名詞

1. Use this word as the sentence subject when pointing to individuals, creatures, o

1.代名詞A1
釋義

他們

指先前提及的一群人、動物或事物

Use this word as the sentence subject when pointing to individuals, creatures, or objects the audience already knows about from earlier discussion.

例句

Jiwoo and Zola applied for the job, and they both got interviews.

Jiwoo 和 Zola 申請了那份工作，他們兩個都拿到了面試機會。

subject they referring to two named people

The dogs were barking loudly, and they did not stop until the mail carrier left.

那些狗叫個不停，直到郵差離開牠們才安靜下來。

subject they referring to animals

用法筆記

This is the most common use of 'they'. The referent (the people, animals, or things being talked about) must be clear from the earlier part of the conversation or the surrounding text. Using 'they' without a clear antecedent can confuse the listener.

常見錯誤

❌They is coming to dinner.
✅They are coming to dinner.
💡'they' always takes the plural verb form, even when referring to one person (singular they).
❌They was late for the meeting.
✅They were late for the meeting.
💡the past-tense verb with 'they' is always 'were', not 'was'.

2. used to talk about a single person when you do not know whether that person is m

2.代名詞A2
釋義

某人

指性別不明或不需指明的人

used to talk about a single person when you do not know whether that person is male or female, or when the person's gender is not important.

例句

If a student needs extra help, they should speak to the teacher after class.

如果有學生需要額外幫助，應該在下課後跟老師說。

singular they for unknown gender

Someone left their phone on the bus — I hope they come back to get it.

有人把手機忘在公車上了——希望他們會回來拿。

possessive their with singular they

同義詞
  • he or she

    more formal and less common in everyday speech; 'they' is preferred in modern usage.

用法筆記

This is called the 'singular they.' Although the reference is to one person, the verb form remains plural: 'they are' (not 'they is') and 'they were' (not 'they was'). This usage has been standard in English for centuries and is currently the most common way to refer to a person of unknown gender. It is preferred over the older 'he or she' in most modern writing because it is shorter and more inclusive.

常見錯誤

❌If anyone calls, tell him I will be back later.' (when gender is unknown)
✅If anyone calls, tell them I will be back later.
💡using 'they' is more natural and gender-neutral than assuming 'he'.

3. Describes a known individual whose sense of their own gender goes beyond simply

3.代名詞B1
釋義

此人

指性別認同非二元的人

Describes a known individual whose sense of their own gender goes beyond simply 'man' or 'woman' — for example, someone who identifies as non-binary.

例句

Nadia told me that Hari is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns.

Nadia 跟我說 Hari 是性別非二元者，使用 they/them 代名詞。

singular they for non-binary identity

I asked the designer about their inspiration, and they showed me their portfolio.

我問了那位設計師他們的靈感來源，他們給我看他們的作品集。

用法筆記

This sense is distinct from sense 2. In sense 2, the person's gender is unknown; in sense 3, the person is known but does not identify as male or female. When someone tells you their pronouns are they/them, it is respectful to use those pronouns consistently — in subject position ('they'), object position ('them'), and possessive ('their'). Verb agreement is the same as plural 'they': 'they is' is incorrect; 'they is a designer' ❌ → 'they are a designer' ✅.

常見錯誤

❌Hari said they is coming to the party.
✅Hari said they are coming to the party.
💡even for one person, the verb takes plural form.
❌I met a non-binary person, and she seemed nice.' (when the person uses they/them)
✅I met a non-binary person, and they seemed nice.
💡use the pronouns the person prefers.