they

they
they [ ðeı ] pronoun ***
They is used as the subject of a verb:
They killed him.
In formal English they can also be used after the verb to be, especially before a relative clause:
It is they who are telling lies.
1. ) used for referring to a group of people or things that have already been mentioned or that are already known about:
I called her parents because I knew they were worried.
It's hard to choose. They're all very nice.
2. ) used instead of he or she, especially when you are referring back to a word such as everyone, someone, or anyone :
We should give everyone a chance to say what they think.
3. ) used for referring to people in general:
they say/call/think etc.: They used to call her the Iron Lady.
4. ) used for referring to a government, an organization, or a group of people in authority:
They're going to ban logging in the region.
=> HE, THEM

Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • they — W1S1 [ðeı] pron [used as the subject of a verb] [Date: 1100 1200; : Old Norse; Origin: their] 1.) used to refer to two or more people or things that have already been mentioned or are already known about ▪ Bob and Sue said they wouldn t be able… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • they — (thā) pron. 1) Used to refer to the ones previously mentioned or implied. 2) Usage Problem Used to refer to the one previously mentioned or implied, especially as a substitute for generic he: »Every person has rights under the law, but they don t …   Word Histories

  • They — (IPAEng|ðeɪ) is a third person, personal pronoun (subject case) in Modern English.UsageThe singular they is the use of this pronoun, where they is used as a gender neutral singular rather than plural pronoun. The correctness of this usage is… …   Wikipedia

  • They — ([th][=a]), pron. pl.; poss. {Theirs}; obj. {Them}. [Icel. [thorn]eir they, properly nom. pl. masc. of s[=a], s[=u], [thorn]at, a demonstrative pronoun, akin to the English definite article, AS. s[=e], se[ o], [eth][ae]t, nom. pl. [eth][=a]. See… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • they'd — [ ðeıd ] short form 1. ) the usual way of saying or writing they would. This is not often used in formal writing: They said they d be happy to help. 2. ) the usual way of saying or writing they had when had is an AUXILIARY verb. This is not often …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • they're — (they are) n. they exist, they live, they occupy a certain position, they exist in a certain state …   English contemporary dictionary

  • they'd — [ðeıd] 1.) the short form of they had ▪ If only they d been there. 2.) the short form of they would ▪ It s a pity my parents didn t come they d have enjoyed it …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • they'd — (they had) v. verb used together with another verb to express past tense they d (they would) v. verb used together with another verb to express future tense …   English contemporary dictionary

  • they'll — [ðeıl] the short form of they will ▪ They ll be tired after the long journey …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • they're — [ðə strong ðeə, ðeıə $ ðər strong ðer, ðeıər] the short form of they are ▪ They re going to Crete next week …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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