‘They’ is plural

I cannot agree with the short article on page 11 of your January edition which states that “in English, ‘they’ can be used for one person...”

Published Thursday 13 February 2020 - 16:50 Modified Thursday 13 February 2020 - 16:50

“They” is plural, and one always says “they are”.

In the singular, “he” or “she” are used, eg. “She is.” English, like French, has no accepted way to refer to a gender-neutral or non-binary individual – although Americans may feel otherwise!

John Davey, by email

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