They are living their life.

[FalaGringo]

Is it possible to use "They" as a singular pronoun when talking about a group of people? I do not know if its wrong to say "They are living their life well." when it involves 2 or more people, I've seen this quite a lot and I'd like to know if it should be "They are living their lives well."

If it is possible to use it as a singular pronoun in this case, would it be correct to say

"They are always using their phone in class." instead of "They are always using their phones in class." despite each indiviudal owning only 1 phone?

 

[probus]

This was answered in a recent thread that I can't find right now, so I'll repeat myself. Gender-neutral English is required nowadays, and the singular they is therefore very useful. It eliminates a great deal of fuss and bother.

 

[FalaGringo]

So, "They is here" would not sound odd to you?

 

[probus]

"They are always using their phone" is fine. "They is here" isn't. But you knew that, didn't you?

 

[FalaGringo]

I did. So, "They are always using their phone", would that sound like there is only 1 phone amongst them or would it sound as though we are considering 2 or more people as a single unit?

 

[probus]

No.

 

[Tdol]

I did. So, "They are always using their phone", would that sound like there is only 1 phone amongst them or would it sound as though we are considering 2 or more people as a single unit?

You might be overthinking the issue. If it particularly matters, make it clear in the wider context:

They've got one phone between the four of them, but they're always using it.