The third-person plural number is a vital concept in English grammar. It refers to the form of the verb and pronouns used when talking about more than one person or thing. This grammatical structure is essential for clarity, as it ensures that sentences accurately reflect the number and subject of the action. In this article, we’ll explore the third person plural in depth—how it’s formed, how it works with verbs, and its key role in effective communication.
What Is the Third Person Plural?
In English, pronouns and verbs change based on the person (first, second, or third) and the number (singular or plural). When we talk about the third person plural, we are referring to sentences that describe actions or states involving more than one person or thing.
For example:
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Third person plural: They are going to the park. (More than one person is involved.)
The third person plural involves they, them, and their for pronouns, and verbs are generally used in their base form without any special endings, unlike the third person singular, which uses -s or -es (e.g., he walks).
Elements of the Third Person Plural:
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Pronouns: they, them, their, theirs
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Verbs: Base form (without -s)
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Example: They play soccer every weekend.
Pronouns in the Third Person Plural
Pronouns are words that replace nouns, and in the third person plural, they are used to represent more than one person or thing. The primary pronouns in the third person plural are they, them, their, and theirs.
1. Subjective Case: They
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Use: This pronoun acts as the subject of a sentence.
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Example: They are going to the movies tonight.
2. Objective Case: Them
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Use: This pronoun acts as the object of a sentence.
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Example: We saw them at the restaurant.
3. Possessive Determiner: Their
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Use: This shows ownership and modifies a noun.
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Example: Their house is on the corner.
4. Possessive Pronoun: Theirs
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Use: This pronoun stands alone to show ownership.
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Example: This book is theirs.
These pronouns are essential when referring to more than one person or thing. The proper use of these pronouns ensures that the sentence is grammatically accurate and clear.
How the Third Person Plural Works with Verbs
In the third person plural, verbs are typically in their base form, meaning they do not take the -s or -es endings that are added in the third person singular (he, she, it). This rule helps maintain the distinction between singular and plural subjects.
Examples:
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Correct: They play tennis every weekend. (No -s on the verb)
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Incorrect: They play tennis every weekend. (Wrong form of the verb)
The verb to be is an exception, as it changes based on the subject:
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They are (third person plural form of “to be”)
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He is (third person singular form of “to be”)
Third Person Plural vs. Third Person Singular:
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Singular: She runs every morning. (Singular subject + verb + s)
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Plural: They run every morning. (Plural subject + verb in base form)
Notice how the verb runs in the singular becomes run in the plural.
Using the Third Person Plural in Sentences
When constructing sentences in the third person plural, it’s important to consider both subject pronouns and verb agreement to maintain grammatical accuracy.
1. Basic Examples:
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They play football every Sunday.
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They are learning English.
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Their performance was impressive.
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This book is theirs.
2. Negative Sentences:
In negative sentences, we use do not (or its contraction don’t) with the base form of the verb.
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They don’t like chocolate. (Verb in base form)
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They are not coming to the party.
3. Questions:
When forming questions in the third person plural, we use do or are before the subject.
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Do they want to join us for dinner?
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Are they ready to go?
The construction of third-person plural questions and negatives follows the same rules as those for other plural subjects, making it easy to form both in everyday speech.
Common Mistakes with the Third Person Plural
While the third person plural is easy to use, there are a few common mistakes that learners often make. Let’s look at some examples and how to correct them.
1. Verb Agreement Mistakes
Sometimes learners incorrectly add an -s or -es to the verb in the third person plural.
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Incorrect: They play soccer every week.
Correct: They play soccer every week.
2. Confusing Pronouns
Another common error is confusing they with their or them in the wrong cases.
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Incorrect: We gave it to them.
Correct: We gave it to them. (Objective case) -
Incorrect: That is their car.
Correct: That is their car. (Possessive determiner)
3. Using Singular Verb Forms
It’s also easy to mistakenly use a singular verb with a plural subject. Remember, in the third person plural, the verb stays in its base form.
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Incorrect: They have finished the project.
Correct: They have finished the project. (Plural subject + plural verb)
The Importance of the Third Person Plural
Understanding and using the third person plural is crucial for clarity and accuracy in communication. Here’s why:
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Consistency: It ensures that the verb and pronouns agree with the plural subject, making sentences grammatically correct.
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Clarity: Using the correct third-person plural forms allows the listener or reader to easily understand who or what is being talked about.
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Formality: The third person plural is often used in formal writing and speech, making it essential for business, academic, and professional communication.
The Third Person Plural in Context: More Examples and Applications
Now that we’ve covered the basics of the third person plural number, let’s explore how it works in more detail through different sentence structures, real-world examples, and its role in both written and spoken English. We’ll look at its use in various contexts, including more complex sentences, questions, and negative forms. This section will also examine how the third person plural functions in formal and informal speech and how it compares with other grammatical structures.
1. Using the Third Person Plural in Complex Sentences
In more complex sentences, the third person plural plays a significant role. Whether you’re adding subordinate clauses or using multiple verbs, the third person plural must be maintained for agreement across the sentence.
Examples:
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Simple Sentence: They are going to the party.
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Complex Sentence: They are going to the party because they finished their work early.
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Here, they is the subject of both clauses, and the verb are stays in the plural form.
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Simple Sentence: They love music.
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Complex Sentence: Although they love music, they prefer playing sports on weekends.
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In this case, they is the subject, and the verb love stays in the plural form, maintaining consistency across the sentence.
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By keeping the subject and verb in agreement, even as sentences get more complex, the sentence remains grammatically correct and easy to understand.
2. Questions in the Third Person Plural
When constructing questions, the third person plural follows the same rules as other plural subjects, with do or are placed before the subject.
Examples:
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Yes/No Questions:
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Do they know about the meeting? (Subject: they, verb: know, question form)
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Are they coming to the event tomorrow? (Subject: they, verb: coming, question form)
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Wh- Questions:
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What time do they usually leave for work? (Subject: they, verb: leave)
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Where do they plan to go on vacation? (Subject: they, verb: plan)
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In questions, as in statements, the subject they agrees with the verb in number. The structure follows the regular question format of using auxiliary verbs like do or are.
3. Negative Sentences in the Third Person Plural
In negative sentences, the third person plural follows the same rules as for other plural subjects. We use do not (or the contraction don’t) for regular verbs and are not (or aren’t) for the verb to be.
Examples:
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They don’t like spicy food. (Regular verb)
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They aren’t coming to the party tonight. (Verb to be)
The negative form ensures that the subject-verb agreement remains intact and the meaning of the sentence stays clear.
4. Third Person Plural in Formal Writing
In formal writing, especially in business or academic contexts, the third person plural is frequently used to convey professionalism and objectivity. For example:
Examples:
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The participants were informed of the meeting schedule.
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The employees are required to submit their reports by the end of the week.
In these examples, the third person plural is used to maintain a formal tone, keeping the writing impersonal and focused on the subject rather than the speaker or the audience.
5. Third Person Plural in Informal Speech
In everyday informal speech, the third person plural is still used, but it tends to be more relaxed in structure. For example, in casual conversations, you might hear:
Examples:
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They’re going out later. (Contraction of they are)
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I don’t know if they like it. (More conversational and laid-back tone)
The verb forms remain consistent in the third person plural, and the sentence structure follows normal patterns, but the tone of the conversation can be more casual.
6. Pronoun Agreement in the Third Person Plural
Pronouns are a key part of the third person plural, and they must match the noun they are replacing. The third-person plural pronouns include they, them, their, and theirs. Ensuring correct pronoun agreement is essential for clear and grammatically correct communication.
Examples:
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They have already left for the airport. (Subject pronoun)
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I saw them at the store yesterday. (Object pronoun)
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I like their new house. (Possessive determiner)
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This house is theirs. (Possessive pronoun)
Points for Pronoun Usage:
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They refer to the subject of the sentence (they are doing something).
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Them refers to the object of the action (we saw them).
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Their show possession (their car).
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Theirs shows ownership in a standalone manner (the book is theirs).
Conculcation
Clear grammar makes communication easier, and the third-person plural number plays a big role in that. Knowing how to use they, them, their, and theirs—along with matching verb forms—helps your writing sound natural and accurate. Whether you’re telling a story, writing a report, or having a conversation, these small grammar choices make a big impact. Avoiding common errors like adding -s to plural verbs or mixing up pronouns will instantly boost your clarity. Keep practicing, and these rules will start to feel automatic. With a strong grasp of the third person plural, you’re building a solid foundation for confident and polished English—both spoken and written.