Gender Pronouns: Using ‘THEY’, ‘THEIR’, and ‘THEM’ for a single person in English

Do you notice people sometimes use the plural pronouns THEY, THEM, and THEIR when talking about one person? In this lesson I’ll explain why this is done to avoid specifying male or female gender. I’ll give some example sentences to show how it works, and I’ll include a test that we can do together towards the end of the video. And there’s also a quiz over on www.engvid.com for you to test your understanding: www.engvid.com/gender-pronoun...
More of my lessons about pronouns in English:
Learn English: THOU, THEE, THY, THINE • Learn English: THOU, T...
5-Minute English: WHO, WHOM, WHOSE, WHO'S • 5-Minute English: WHO,...
In this lesson:
00:00 The normal usage of they/them/their for plurals
01:42 How to use they/them/their for male/female singular
05:31 Preferred pronouns
08:12 Practice: they/them/their for avoiding gender-specific language

Пікірлер: 203

  • @engvidGill
    @engvidGill Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for watching, everyone! Next, watch some of my other videos about English pronouns: Learn English: THOU, THEE, THY, THINE kzread.info/dash/bejne/dnxlo6afo5PFqLw.html 5-Minute English: WHO, WHOM, WHOSE, WHO'S kzread.info/dash/bejne/lJWnypV9iNHfh7g.html

  • @flawyerlawyertv7454

    @flawyerlawyertv7454

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks a lot! 💛

  • @aysegulgoknar

    @aysegulgoknar

    Жыл бұрын

    A very productive lesson again, thank You Dear Madam Gill. Wish You a happy week, greetings from Turkey.

  • @cantfindclips

    @cantfindclips

    Жыл бұрын

    “My siblings are coming over next week.” “What are their names?”

  • @SoyBillonaria777

    @SoyBillonaria777

    Жыл бұрын

    I'd spend a whole day listening to your explanations with that lovely accent of yours. Thank you, Gill!! 🌷🌷🌷

  • @offer17388
    @offer17388 Жыл бұрын

    Dear teacher Gill, Thanks for your invaluable lessons to your devoted followers on KZread. I send you greetings from Veracruz, Mexico.

  • @DekRean9
    @DekRean9 Жыл бұрын

    ❤My best teacher 👩‍🏫 ever ❤

  • @whiteangel127
    @whiteangel127 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! Finally, there is someone answering my question. I've already thought about how to address it if I don't know the gender of the subject.

  • @TheMakoyou
    @TheMakoyou Жыл бұрын

    I never learned the word "hers" in junior high school, so I was shocked to learn it now. I was also shocked to learn that the sentence "This book is his" is correct. I thought that "his" always had to be followed by a noun. I had learned it that way. However, I learned it 40 years ago, so I checked with my 20-year-old daughter, and she said she had learned about "hers" & "his". I don't think I had forgotten about them, because in junior high school I was always at the top of my English class.😅

  • @mou-bobbyfunclub2775
    @mou-bobbyfunclub2775 Жыл бұрын

    I am from India. You are one of the best English teachers in the world. I pray that God make you happy and enrich. Being a wise prudent teacher you are adorable and commendable to us.

  • @abdulkabia8486
    @abdulkabia8486 Жыл бұрын

    Hello Mrs Gill .It is good to hear from you in a long time.Thank you for making this educational video.

  • @bixby451
    @bixby451 Жыл бұрын

    My favorite English teacher in the world. Thank you Ms. Gill!

  • @beatastrawa
    @beatastrawa Жыл бұрын

    Despite my age, I am still learning English and unfortunately it is not perfect. These classes and the professor allow me to understand a lot. Thank you very much.

  • @AGabriellbliss
    @AGabriellbliss Жыл бұрын

    This goes beyond grammar Gill ✨️we need more acts that promotes understanding among society. Thank you for the awareness !💡

  • @enniruth
    @enniruth Жыл бұрын

    thank you for keeping they/them/their in its correct terminology.

  • @thexcodexofxvulgar
    @thexcodexofxvulgar Жыл бұрын

    gill thank you for not only being incredibly sweet and helpful but also welcoming and accepting that languages develop and we might to adapt to them. cheers to you!!!!

  • @muradovaulviyye2345
    @muradovaulviyye2345 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks Gill for your lessons. I love them so much.

  • @gabriellagirardi4741
    @gabriellagirardi4741 Жыл бұрын

    Wonderful lesson, as usual. Thank you very much.

  • @omboromoreka6731
    @omboromoreka6731 Жыл бұрын

    I am from Kenya we use the British English but I have learned alot mostly pronunciation,You the best mum

  • @saturnosring
    @saturnosring Жыл бұрын

    Very interesting topic. All languages evolve, and these new uses of the pronouns aren’t often taught in class. So I really appreciate that you explained us how to use them properly in these situations. Thanks Gill!

  • @gcondado

    @gcondado

    Жыл бұрын

    This is not "new", it's found also in Shakespeare

  • @vaneney8574
    @vaneney8574 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you very much for this clear and interesting video! I haven't learned this way of using "they", "their", and "them" in school and I find it to be very useful :)

  • @Amramr-rg8ip
    @Amramr-rg8ip Жыл бұрын

    Magnificent explanation for the lesson

  • @MariaOrtega-ch5no
    @MariaOrtega-ch5no Жыл бұрын

    My Best English teacher ever! Thank you for this lesson it is really helpful. I've been speaking english for so many years and learn this until today, my goodness. Thank you you are wonderful.

  • @RURK_
    @RURK_ Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for this lesson!! 🤗

  • @emiliyailieva9094
    @emiliyailieva9094 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you Gill for the fantastic explanation. Have a good week!

  • @abiliosantos1388
    @abiliosantos1388 Жыл бұрын

    I really need to say: Gill, you're the best English teacher!

  • @Its_alina.
    @Its_alina. Жыл бұрын

    thanks a lot for your time and work.

  • @akashkhokhar657
    @akashkhokhar657 Жыл бұрын

    It was one of my uncleared doubts, I got it now. Thank you so much respected Gill ma'am.

  • @Luigginadeven
    @Luigginadeven Жыл бұрын

    This is new for me. Thanks dear Gill

  • @englishforre.1458
    @englishforre.1458 Жыл бұрын

    Very important lesson where anyone could go wrong. Using they, their, and them for singular is something wonderful!

  • @punamutsike1202
    @punamutsike1202 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the useful lesson. I'd been looking for some kind of information about this couple of years ago.

  • @MarciaLealChannel
    @MarciaLealChannel Жыл бұрын

    Thank you very much for your lessons, Gill! I always love it! Greetings from Brazil!

  • @prashantmishra1994
    @prashantmishra1994 Жыл бұрын

    Hi Gill! It's always been a wonderful experience to watch your videos.The reason they are great is because your all lessons are interesting and share all relevant information. Thanks a lot.

  • @devjanichakraborty6204
    @devjanichakraborty6204 Жыл бұрын

    Dear Ma'am Gill, I have liked your lesson on Gender Pronoun ! Here,i would like to say that when we mention someone's name,automatically the gender of the person is revealed.Then the gender of the pronoun goes according to the gender of the Proper Noun. When we don't mention someone's name specifically,as mentioned in the lesson as 'speaker' or 'cousin' then the gender is not revealed so the pronouns 'they','them' or 'their' can be used. Obviously,there is a certain rule about grammar,which one has to follow ! Thanks 😃

  • @davidvieira1
    @davidvieira1 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you very much Gill. Greetings from Brazil.

  • @thgr4042
    @thgr4042 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you very much for your fantastic lessons, dear Gill! I have recently found your channel. Could you make videos of adjectives, characterising certain objects or a person/people. I have learned many words, but sometimes it is difficult to use them in correct situations or with right nouns or vice versa. You are really a genuine TEACHER!

  • @alexandraweather4156
    @alexandraweather4156 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you, Gill! You are the best! ❤

  • @pilargutierrezgonzalez7043
    @pilargutierrezgonzalez7043 Жыл бұрын

    Once more I have to thank you for a lesson.You're a magnific teacher.

  • @RodrigoCostaSilvacruelcdo
    @RodrigoCostaSilvacruelcdo Жыл бұрын

    What a pleasent excent! Love your lessons, by the way. Thank you for sharing!

  • @fknowlson1987
    @fknowlson1987 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks ! Clearly & helpfully explained

  • @agnesmon4940
    @agnesmon4940 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks a lot, you have resolved an old doubt I've got for a long time.

  • @SMokkery
    @SMokkery Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for this video! It's very helpful 😊

  • @FernandoGomes-dg1po
    @FernandoGomes-dg1po Жыл бұрын

    Thank you a lot for such a great explanation. I had never heard about it. Living and learning. Please keep doing this great job. Fernando Filho from Brazil.

  • @koluk6430
    @koluk6430 Жыл бұрын

    The most educative ASMR ever from the most adorable teacher 😀 Love Gill ❤ Many thanks!

  • @sollen261
    @sollen26110 ай бұрын

    Your English lecture is the essence of itself for me.

  • @yudyamparoenriquezrosero3615
    @yudyamparoenriquezrosero3615 Жыл бұрын

    Great lesson! Thanks Teacher Gill! 🙂🙏🌷

  • @hastalavista9431
    @hastalavista9431 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks a lot, dear teacher! Nice lesson, as usual, but I miss your literature lessons so much! They are definitely wonderful!

  • @MsBreenna
    @MsBreenna Жыл бұрын

    Thanks , I really appreciate your leson.

  • @Dawlada
    @Dawlada Жыл бұрын

    Thank you madam. Your lessons are very interesting.

  • @elinakovalchuk4159
    @elinakovalchuk4159 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks a lot Jill.. Started learning English. I like how you explain...

  • @rpmcrc9406
    @rpmcrc940611 ай бұрын

    Thank you for the excersice and explain. .

  • @serviceparkjanjak3523
    @serviceparkjanjak3523 Жыл бұрын

    We love you, Gill, many thanks to you, the most intelligent person and teacher in the world! From 🇰🇿.

  • @nhungcute8888
    @nhungcute8888 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for your lesson!

  • @141school
    @141school Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! It was informative ❤

  • @allergyboys1817
    @allergyboys1817 Жыл бұрын

    勉強になります。nice video.

  • @giancarlomaster2535
    @giancarlomaster2535 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for all knowledge

  • @yurilaztube
    @yurilaztube Жыл бұрын

    Dear Gill! Thank you for your work! ❤

  • @ramzgro
    @ramzgro Жыл бұрын

    Thank You So Much, Dear Teacher Gill

  • @JuanLuisRubiales
    @JuanLuisRubiales Жыл бұрын

    Thanks so much, it was so clarifying !

  • @Sharky857
    @Sharky857 Жыл бұрын

    Having a pronoun that can be used as gender neutral is so helpful! My native language is lacking something like this, so we have to find alternative ways to write gender neutral terms by replacing the final vocals with anything but "A, E, O, or I", and it's usually up to the single persons to replace those vocals with what they find more fitting. I usually prefer to use "@" for singular nouns and pronouns (example: "amic@" instead of "amico/a" for nouns, and "un@" instead of "uno/a" for pronouns), while using "*" for plurals or vocals when they are in the middle of the word (example: "L*i" instead of "Lui/Lei"). On the other hand: despite all, my language remains fully gendered, so all of these "tricks" work only when writing/texting. It's still quite a struggle to refer to someone in a genderless way when talking to them in person. It's not uncommon to see them using "he/they" or "she/they" when they are asked which pronouns would they prefer.

  • @nullinlack585

    @nullinlack585

    Жыл бұрын

    I know that Portuguese is a gendered language. But not all words are the same.

  • @worldofNIMEE
    @worldofNIMEE Жыл бұрын

    Very helpful

  • @a46man1
    @a46man1 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks . It is new for me.

  • @magotorres9024
    @magotorres9024 Жыл бұрын

    Great teacher!

  • @irinakvartalova8226
    @irinakvartalova8226 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you very much! It was very interesting!

  • @JuliaDutta
    @JuliaDutta Жыл бұрын

    Most interesting lesson Gill - including gendre in your lesson is very progresdive. I am more with it when we include all gendre on the they ( them. safe and polite I shpild think.

  • @JuliaDutta

    @JuliaDutta

    Жыл бұрын

    Lots of errors in spelling. Having trouble seeing clearly due to eye operation but cpuld stop from congrayulating on they/them - splendid!

  • @aks721990
    @aks721990 Жыл бұрын

    I used to watch ur videos (call me crazy) cuz they calmed me , but somewhere back in my mind i had doubts cuz u know , now i love u even more

  • @beaslay8045
    @beaslay8045 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for posting this video

  • @bahdanshyshkin7918
    @bahdanshyshkin7918 Жыл бұрын

    In slavic languages there’s no such problem in general - nouns change their endings based off the gender - for example the word “cousin” is кузин (male) and кузинА (female). So the implied gender is usually very obvious

  • @syee797
    @syee797 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much Gill !! 💚

  • @helenchekhovsky2421
    @helenchekhovsky2421 Жыл бұрын

    like always , it's a great lesson, thank you

  • @TheCamillo4ka
    @TheCamillo4ka Жыл бұрын

    Thanks a lot, Gill! It’s really useful, now I know how it’s used. In Uzbek “u” is gender non-specific he/she/it, “ular” is gender non-specific they. But interestingly, when talking about a person, singular, “ular” is usually used out of respect. And the affix of plurals is added to verbs following “ular”. In Russian “he” is used as a gender non-specific pronoun. Rarely “he or she”. “They” is never used,except by some young people that think of themselves as of non-binary, and that are treated by others as freaks, cause not only older people consider it… inappropriate, but also younger people too. Like it’s that gay/gender bullshit, and Russia will not follow Gayrope, blah-blah-blah😒

  • @alvinabinnish7296
    @alvinabinnish729610 ай бұрын

    Your speaking English is valuable for common people

  • @mrmhmd9643
    @mrmhmd964310 ай бұрын

    Thank u gill. Enjoyed your teaching and accent

  • @agustinquipildor
    @agustinquipildor Жыл бұрын

    Thank you Gill!

  • @franciscojavierveracardena6578
    @franciscojavierveracardena6578 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you very much for the lesson... 🇬🇧 🇨🇴

  • @luthientinuviel2167
    @luthientinuviel2167 Жыл бұрын

    The best teacher!! ❤❤ Thank you!!!❤❤

  • @VikasKRealtor
    @VikasKRealtor Жыл бұрын

    Best English Tutor ever ❤

  • @yunusa9402
    @yunusa9402 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for those useful expressions! I love your channel! 🙏💐

  • @elisadealexandria
    @elisadealexandria Жыл бұрын

    Thank you my favorite teacher Gill! ❤️🧡💚♥️

  • @hamoudawassila6109
    @hamoudawassila6109 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the lesson I hope see you next time

  • @whoknows4432
    @whoknows4432 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much ma'am. actually, I have been all the time thinking 🤔 why "they" is used in some singular contexts. Now it's all clear 👍👍👍

  • @IORIYAGAMI32
    @IORIYAGAMI32 Жыл бұрын

    Many thanks for this New lesson

  • @eusouneto20
    @eusouneto20 Жыл бұрын

    The best english teacher in the entire world! 💞😊🙏🏻

  • @E.g.store2
    @E.g.store2 Жыл бұрын

    She is a precious teacher to me.

  • @shopartofyarn
    @shopartofyarn Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for this video!

  • @martasakowska5706
    @martasakowska5706 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! Very helpfull.

  • @Etory-m
    @Etory-m Жыл бұрын

    Actually it was very useful video. Thank you! ❤

  • @kritchawanlaxton9478
    @kritchawanlaxton9478 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you Gill❤❤❤

  • @ivanildagomes7314
    @ivanildagomes7314 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for that class! A hug!

  • @kritchawanlaxton9478
    @kritchawanlaxton9478 Жыл бұрын

    Very good teacher I never had ❤❤❤❤❤

  • @Eliamrr1
    @Eliamrr1 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you teacher ❤

  • @nadnadya1
    @nadnadya1 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you Gill :)❤️

  • @pemayangchen1003
    @pemayangchen1003 Жыл бұрын

    Wow you explain so good and easy way to get this pronoun. Thank you

  • @mahmudovaaysel3276
    @mahmudovaaysel3276 Жыл бұрын

    we need your lessons. thank u teacher

  • @namstak.miscellaneous
    @namstak.miscellaneous Жыл бұрын

    wow thanx that was so helpful

  • @user-zb5ic7fz6j
    @user-zb5ic7fz6j11 ай бұрын

    Hello dear teacher Jill. I missed you and your lessons so much. You are so delicate and elegant.

  • @Mohamed_Subway
    @Mohamed_Subway Жыл бұрын

    Thank you 😊

  • @KomloGamesPlay
    @KomloGamesPlay Жыл бұрын

    It's a wonderful lesson, thank you! ✨

  • @mistercana4799
    @mistercana4799 Жыл бұрын

    Very nice Class Gill. 😉

  • @BrunaMaraWanderley
    @BrunaMaraWanderley Жыл бұрын

    You are the best and cute teacher ever, thank you so much! 🙏🏼🌻🌟

  • @JaneDoe-ci3gj
    @JaneDoe-ci3gj Жыл бұрын

    Thank you Gil, a great lesson as always. 😊🌹 I learnt a lot, especially about they/them/their. Thanks for taking about people who want their pronouns to be them/they without judgement!❤️ Would you please do a lesson about grammar/spelling misstakes that native born English speakers make. I have e.g seen a lot of native English speakers having a hard time distinguishing their from they're and there.

  • @angelikahagner2227
    @angelikahagner22279 ай бұрын

    She is absolut amazing good many thanks🎉

  • @gilbertoaraujo3211
    @gilbertoaraujo3211 Жыл бұрын

    The best teacher of world ❤

  • @sairansalam1256
    @sairansalam1256 Жыл бұрын

    U are the best teacher❤