WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - Grammar Minute: Corporations Aren't Alive

Episode Date: September 19, 2024

"They" used in the singular sense has a long and complicated history. Here's one instance where it definitely doesn't work.

Welcome to the Grammar Minute, where we're saving the English language 60 seconds at a time. I'm Lauren Smith, and I'm here to tell you that companies are not alive. You're probably thinking, what? Let me explain. Imagine a fictional corporation called Chicken Duggets Incorporated, which is not important to the example, but there you go. You have a comment about their marketing strategy. And things have already gone astray. A brand isn't it, not a they.

You have a comment about its marketing strategy. Grammarians like to argue about whether they can be used in the singular form to replace he or she. Let's assume for a minute that it is an appropriate substitute for the somewhat awkward he or she construction. If so, then, like he and she, singular they is an animate pronoun that should only be applied to things that are alive. As we all know, companies are not alive. That's your Grammar Minute. Visit thegrammerminut.com for more tips and tricks. Thank you.