Third-person pronoun

Third-person pronouns are pronouns used to refer to one or more entities other than the speaker or the listener. The entities referred to by third-person pronouns can be people, animals, objects, or concepts. In English, the third-person pronouns vary according to number (singular or plural), gender, and in some cases, case. This article outlines the use, forms, and functions of third-person pronouns in English, as well as their variations in other languages.

Forms in English

In English, third-person pronouns have distinct forms based on number, gender, and case. The following table summarizes these forms:

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	he (male), she (female), it (neuter), they (gender-neutral)	they
Objective	him (male), her (female), it (neuter), them (gender-neutral)	them
Possessive Adjectives	his (male), her (female), its (neuter), their (gender-neutral)	their
Possessive Pronouns	his (male), hers (female), its (neuter), theirs (gender-neutral)	theirs
Reflexive	himself (male), herself (female), itself (neuter), themselves (gender-neutral)	themselves

Singular

Singular third-person pronouns refer to a single entity and vary by gender: - He is used for males. - She is used for females. - It is used for objects, animals (sometimes), or concepts. - They is increasingly used as a gender-neutral singular pronoun to refer to individuals who do not identify as male or female or when the gender is unknown or irrelevant.

Plural

The plural form they is used regardless of gender and can refer to groups of people, animals, objects, or concepts.

Usage

Third-person pronouns are used for a variety of grammatical purposes, including as the subject, object, or possessive form in a sentence. They are essential for constructing clear and coherent sentences, especially in narrative and descriptive writing.

Variations in Other Languages

Many languages have third-person pronouns, but the forms, gender distinctions, and usage rules can vary widely: - In languages like Spanish and French, third-person pronouns reflect both the gender of the noun and whether it is singular or plural. - Some languages, such as Finnish and Turkish, do not differentiate third-person pronouns by gender. - Other languages may have additional forms for politeness or formality.

Gender-Neutral Pronouns

The use of gender-neutral pronouns is becoming more common in English and other languages, reflecting changing attitudes towards gender identity and inclusivity. In English, "they" is widely accepted as a singular gender-neutral pronoun. Other proposed gender-neutral pronouns include "ze" and "hir," but these have not entered mainstream usage.

Conclusion

Third-person pronouns are a fundamental aspect of language, enabling speakers and writers to refer to people, objects, and concepts outside of the immediate conversation. Understanding the forms and uses of third-person pronouns in any language is crucial for effective communication.