r/confidentlyincorrect 16d ago

Comment Thread Singular they doesn't exist

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u/SomeOldGuyInPerth 16d ago

"They're citing themselves..." is a pretty good example of the use of a singular 'they'. If this individual was correct, self-aware, or even capable of mounting a coherent argument without internal inconsistency, then surely this would've read "The Oxford Disctionary is citing itself by citing universities" (or similar).

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u/Arktikos02 16d ago

I think that they are trying to use it in the plural sense, as the academia is multiple people.

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u/SomeOldGuyInPerth 16d ago

Perhaps, but the OED implies a singular. Although I doubt the comment comment came from someone capable of that understanding.