Washington Post allows singular ‘they’

Take note, grammar aficionados: “They” is now an acceptable pronoun for a person who identifies “as neither male nor female”—at least at The Washington Post.

A Washington Post memo from style chief Bill Walsh reads, in part:

It is usually possible, and preferable, to recast sentences as plural to avoid both the sexist and antiquated universal default to male pronouns and the awkward use of he or she, him or her and the like: All students must complete their homework, not Each student must complete his or her homework.

When such a rewrite is impossible or hopelessly awkward, however, what is known as “the singular they” is permissible: Everyone has their own opinion about the traditional grammar rule. The singular they is also useful in references to people who identify as neither male nor female.

Though the precept hasn’t made its way into the AP Stylebook yet, it marks a bold step in addressing the conversation around gender pronouns in an increasingly politically correct climate.