People always say...they say it's going to rain today. Or they say this or that. but who are they anyway?
2006-07-12 08:46:35 · 22 answers · asked by Me 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
"They" is a general term given to a group of people not belonging to a particular social group. "They" say it's going to rain - could mean the people on the radio or the weatherman on TV. "They" could also refer to the social butterfly in the next town. Hope that helps!
2006-07-12 08:53:10 · answer #1 · answered by RedCloud_1998 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a generalized way of expressing what many people say or people in general say. "They say (the people in general say) it's going to rain today." Or expresses what people not known to the speaker says, such as "They (the general opinion of the people) say that place is dangerous. I don't want to go there." There are many things I could say but it would take up too much space. I hope that was helpful. Cheers!!
2006-07-12 15:53:58 · answer #2 · answered by J.D.S. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most Americans are relatively clueless when it comes to authority and government. To complicate matters, the government often outsources work to private companies and individuals, making them de facto experts. Generally speaking, "they" is anyone getting paid to set a standard.
2006-07-12 15:53:26 · answer #3 · answered by szydkids 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Weather forecasters. See, now they list the per cent chance of rain each day. This way we can't criticize them for being wrong.
By the way, THEY are watching you. Be carefull.
2006-07-12 15:51:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well "they" is a pro noun so in order for the person on the receiving end of the conversation to understand them the person saying "they" would have had to say the noun (which would determine who they really is) as for the person who wrote this question go back to 5th grade english class.
2006-07-12 15:55:41 · answer #5 · answered by sweetthing_evil 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a general they. It may be the meteorologist, seismologists, or other people whose job descriptions may be a bit difficult for some. As a result "they" will be used. Of course "they" may also be "them" i.e. those who are behind everything.
2006-07-12 15:51:35 · answer #6 · answered by I think therefore I am 2210 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hopefully "they" is whoever the person heard the information from or where the person read the information. Otherwise, the person saying "they" needs to rephrase the comment.
2006-07-12 16:04:25 · answer #7 · answered by Just Me 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
'They' are the people you refer to when you are trying to make a point about something but don't really know where the information came from in the first place.
2006-07-12 15:54:11 · answer #8 · answered by Marie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You found me out. I am indeed they. Now I will have to silence you before you let my secret out.
2006-07-12 15:49:41 · answer #9 · answered by jdscorrupted 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"They" can mean society, authority figures, people in the know, or people in general.
2006-07-12 15:56:59 · answer #10 · answered by MNL_1221 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋