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What are the differences between the usage of 'it' and 'they'? [on hold]

.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;

3

1

I need to understand the following with respect to correct grammar not everyday usage:

1. The number to the antecedent that both pronouns can refer to (Singular/Plural)

2. Can the pronouns refer to living and non-living creatures both?

3. Any other rules that distinguish the two.

word-meaning pronouns relative-pronouns singular-they

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edited Apr 7 at 2:09

Jasper

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asked Apr 6 at 18:08

ayushi groverayushi grover

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put on hold as off-topic by fred2, SamBC, Varun Nair, choster, virolino yesterday

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "This question should include more details than have been provided here. Please edit to add the research you have done in your efforts to answer the question, or provide more context. See: Details, Please." – fred2, SamBC, Varun Nair, virolino

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
  
  – ColleenV♦
  Apr 8 at 17:24
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

3

1

I need to understand the following with respect to correct grammar not everyday usage:

1. The number to the antecedent that both pronouns can refer to (Singular/Plural)

2. Can the pronouns refer to living and non-living creatures both?

3. Any other rules that distinguish the two.

word-meaning pronouns relative-pronouns singular-they

share|improve this question

edited Apr 7 at 2:09

Jasper

20k44174

asked Apr 6 at 18:08

ayushi groverayushi grover

161

New contributor

ayushi grover is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

put on hold as off-topic by fred2, SamBC, Varun Nair, choster, virolino yesterday

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "This question should include more details than have been provided here. Please edit to add the research you have done in your efforts to answer the question, or provide more context. See: Details, Please." – fred2, SamBC, Varun Nair, virolino

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.
  
  – ColleenV♦
  Apr 8 at 17:24
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

I need to understand the following with respect to correct grammar not everyday usage:

1. The number to the antecedent that both pronouns can refer to (Singular/Plural)

2. Can the pronouns refer to living and non-living creatures both?

3. Any other rules that distinguish the two.

word-meaning pronouns relative-pronouns singular-they

share|improve this question

edited Apr 7 at 2:09

Jasper

20k44174

asked Apr 6 at 18:08

ayushi groverayushi grover

161

New contributor

ayushi grover is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

share|improve this question

edited Apr 7 at 2:09

Jasper

20k44174

asked Apr 6 at 18:08

ayushi groverayushi grover

161

New contributor

ayushi grover is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

share|improve this question

edited Apr 7 at 2:09

Jasper

20k44174

asked Apr 6 at 18:08

ayushi groverayushi grover

161

New contributor

ayushi grover is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

edited Apr 7 at 2:09

Jasper

20k44174

edited Apr 7 at 2:09

Jasper

20k44174

asked Apr 6 at 18:08

ayushi groverayushi grover

161

New contributor

ayushi grover is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

asked Apr 6 at 18:08

ayushi groverayushi grover

161

1 Answer
1

active

oldest

votes

10

It is always singular, and hardly ever used of humans (some people refer to a baby whose sex they don't know as "it", but others find that offensive). It is often used of animals, but many people use "he" or "she" if they know the sex of the animal.

They is plural, and may refer to anything: people, animals, inanimate objects. Many people (including me) also use it in the singular to refer to a person when they don't know the person's gender, or are referring to an unspecified person who might be of any gender. Some people object to this use, but it has been around for centuries.

I don't remember ever having heard singular "they" used of an animal - most people would use "it" in such cases. As far as I know, singular "they" is never used for inanimate objects.

share|improve this answer

answered Apr 6 at 18:16

Colin FineColin Fine

32k24561

• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Oh, I've heard it used for an animal - some people object to thinking about them as less than human, somehow.
  
  – SamBC
  Apr 6 at 19:26
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  I use "they" for animals exclusively. At least for mammals, birds, and reptiles; I tend to lean towards "it" for insects. The exact line varies from person to person, some only using they for humans and some using it for humans and pets, others for all animate things, etc. Also of note is that singular they can be used for a specific nonbinary person as well, so it doesn't have to be an unspecified person or a person of unknown gender.
  
  – Hearth
  Apr 6 at 22:59
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

10

It is always singular, and hardly ever used of humans (some people refer to a baby whose sex they don't know as "it", but others find that offensive). It is often used of animals, but many people use "he" or "she" if they know the sex of the animal.

They is plural, and may refer to anything: people, animals, inanimate objects. Many people (including me) also use it in the singular to refer to a person when they don't know the person's gender, or are referring to an unspecified person who might be of any gender. Some people object to this use, but it has been around for centuries.

I don't remember ever having heard singular "they" used of an animal - most people would use "it" in such cases. As far as I know, singular "they" is never used for inanimate objects.

share|improve this answer

answered Apr 6 at 18:16

Colin FineColin Fine

32k24561

• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Oh, I've heard it used for an animal - some people object to thinking about them as less than human, somehow.
  
  – SamBC
  Apr 6 at 19:26
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  I use "they" for animals exclusively. At least for mammals, birds, and reptiles; I tend to lean towards "it" for insects. The exact line varies from person to person, some only using they for humans and some using it for humans and pets, others for all animate things, etc. Also of note is that singular they can be used for a specific nonbinary person as well, so it doesn't have to be an unspecified person or a person of unknown gender.
  
  – Hearth
  Apr 6 at 22:59
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

10

It is always singular, and hardly ever used of humans (some people refer to a baby whose sex they don't know as "it", but others find that offensive). It is often used of animals, but many people use "he" or "she" if they know the sex of the animal.

They is plural, and may refer to anything: people, animals, inanimate objects. Many people (including me) also use it in the singular to refer to a person when they don't know the person's gender, or are referring to an unspecified person who might be of any gender. Some people object to this use, but it has been around for centuries.

I don't remember ever having heard singular "they" used of an animal - most people would use "it" in such cases. As far as I know, singular "they" is never used for inanimate objects.

share|improve this answer

answered Apr 6 at 18:16

Colin FineColin Fine

32k24561

• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Oh, I've heard it used for an animal - some people object to thinking about them as less than human, somehow.
  
  – SamBC
  Apr 6 at 19:26
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  3
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  I use "they" for animals exclusively. At least for mammals, birds, and reptiles; I tend to lean towards "it" for insects. The exact line varies from person to person, some only using they for humans and some using it for humans and pets, others for all animate things, etc. Also of note is that singular they can be used for a specific nonbinary person as well, so it doesn't have to be an unspecified person or a person of unknown gender.
  
  – Hearth
  Apr 6 at 22:59
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

It is always singular, and hardly ever used of humans (some people refer to a baby whose sex they don't know as "it", but others find that offensive). It is often used of animals, but many people use "he" or "she" if they know the sex of the animal.

They is plural, and may refer to anything: people, animals, inanimate objects. Many people (including me) also use it in the singular to refer to a person when they don't know the person's gender, or are referring to an unspecified person who might be of any gender. Some people object to this use, but it has been around for centuries.

I don't remember ever having heard singular "they" used of an animal - most people would use "it" in such cases. As far as I know, singular "they" is never used for inanimate objects.

share|improve this answer

answered Apr 6 at 18:16

Colin FineColin Fine

32k24561

share|improve this answer

answered Apr 6 at 18:16

Colin FineColin Fine

32k24561

answered Apr 6 at 18:16

Colin FineColin Fine

32k24561

answered Apr 6 at 18:16

Colin FineColin Fine

32k24561