1.103 'they'

You use 'they' to refer to a group of things, or to a group of people not including yourself or the person or people you are talking to.

• All the girls think he's great, don't they?
• Newspapers reach me on the day after they are published.
• Winters here vary as they do elsewhere.

'They' is also often used to refer to people in general.

• 'Isn't that what they call love?'

'They' can also refer to a group of people whose identity does not need to be stated. For example, in the sentence 'They've given John another pay rise' it is clear that 'they' refers to John's employers.

• 'Don't worry', I said to Mother, 'they are moving you from this ward soon.'