Pronoun

1. The people previously mentioned, as the object of a verb or following a preposition, where the people are also the subject of the verb; also used for emphasis.

   : They’ve hurt themselves.

   : They fought among themselves.

   : They are going to try climbing Mount Everest themselves.

2. The person of unspecified gender previously mentioned, as the object of a verb or following a preposition, where the person is also the subject of the verb; also used for emphasis.

   : Would whoever stole my phone please make themselves known.

   : They’ve brought this on themselves.

   : The children did this themselves.

Usage notes

• For notes on the usage referring to a person of unspecified gender, see the usage notes for they.