[Grammar] They or it?

Status
Not open for further replies.

stonecold

Member
Joined
Apr 19, 2009
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Vietnamese
Home Country
Cambodia
Current Location
United States
When I'm talking about a company, can I refer to the company as they or it? Explanations?
 
Last edited:
You must use "it", although "company" means a group of many people, but it is only one entity including many elements.
You can only use "they" to replace for "companies".
Thank you !
 
It depends on the context.

'Heinz is a very successful company. It paid its shareholders a bonus last year' (it's an impersonal entity).

'I going to complain to British Gas and find out why they overcharged me last year' (somebody working there sent the bill and one or more persons will answer my letter).

Rover
 
**Neither a teacher nor a native speaker.**

I asked a similar question a while ago.
My opinion:
When you talk about a company, use the 3rd person singular.
Microsoft develops software. :up:
When you don't say the company's name, replace the word by they!
They develop software. :up:
I highly suggest you not to use this construction:
It develops software. :down:

Of course a company usually consists of people, but when you talk about the company itself, you summarize them, which makes it possible to handle it as a singular word.
But remember: Company name = Singular; No name = Plural -> They

Cheers!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Ask a Teacher

If you have a question about the English language and would like to ask one of our many English teachers and language experts, please click the button below to let us know:

(Requires Registration)
Back
Top