2

I've understood how to use singular they on a single sentence, but the problem comes with articulated sentences like this one:

If a person lies to you this way, they are probably thieves.

My doubt is about its correctness, I would also say it this way:

If a person lies to you this way, they are probably a thief.

Is the second sentence correct?

Improve this question
4
  • If you use the singular they, and add in the dropped way, the second sentence is correct.
    – Peter Shor
    Commented Apr 30, 2014 at 18:32
  • 4
    First, almost nobody would say "they are" -- it's contracted to they're most of the time. Second, predicate count nouns with an indefinite subject are normally singular, with an indefinite article, unless the speaker wishes to emphasize the non-singularity of the subject. This is definitely not the case with singular they; treat it as a singular pronoun for any coreferential needs.
    – John Lawler
    Commented Apr 30, 2014 at 18:43
  • What is an articulated sentence?
    – user28567
    Commented May 1, 2014 at 0:55
  • Maybe it's not the most proper term, I mean a long sentence made of many prepositions connected.
    – Ramy Al Zuhouri
    Commented May 1, 2014 at 10:41

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2

Try:

If {a person / someone} lies to you like this, they are probably a thief. [Singular subject]

If people lie to you like this, they're probably thieves. [Plural subject]

Improve this answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.