: Re: Phrasing a prophecy to avoid specifying gender or number Is there a singular form for the ideas behind the words 'them' and 'they'? You have 'he', 'she', and 'they' (which often implies more
Word Usage
The proper word is "one", when one wishes to avoid specifying the sex. For example, "One might well consider this."
However, in English even though this is a number nonspecific neutral reference, this could be still mistaken for a number, and thus fails to fully meet your criteria.
Grammar Options
The other option is grammatical in nature, and is called circumlocution, defined as:
cir·cum·lo·cu·tionˌ(sərkəmˌləˈkyo͞oSH(ə)n/), noun; the use of many words where fewer would do, especially in a deliberate attempt to be vague or evasive.
It is also a term used when talking around a subject without using a keyword or certain keywords. As you have noted, you could use plural nonspecific words, but again that connotes a number, namely any number other than one.
Your best bet might be to refer to events, causes, and effects without referencing any people specific words at all, unless such a word is important to the prophecy in question. Except, again, you do wish to be able to on occasion.
Tricky Language
One more option is to use another language. Make up words and define them as you like. In another language there may very well be words which refers to people singly and/or in groups, with and/or without a reference to the sex, and in any, or as many combinations as you need.
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