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Because it is proper grammar. When orally speaking, almost everyone misuses "they," and it probably doesn't matter much. In writing, however, the same habit is extremeley dangerous and could result in failing your English class.
WHY TO USE THEY
Deadly Sin of student writing #5 :
''THEY''
When it is clear that the object being described is plural, use "they." Example: "The children hid in the corner because they were afraid." THEY is correct because the word "children" is plural.
HOW TO USE THEY
DO NOT pretend that a word is plural because it sounds better to use "they." Example: IHOP has bad service because they don't seat customers promptly. IHOP is NOT plural. It is a SINGLE word - one restaurant, therefore, no "they."
DON'T....
In case you didn't understand, "they" only applies to plural nouns. Saying, "My sister's doctor is stupid because they said that pneumonia is harmless" simply hits the ear wrong, as the brain does not connect "doctor" to "they" clearly.
SAY WHAT?
Of course, there are other plural pronouns to be used incorrectly. Example: "The department store tried to change their image by hiring more Native Americans." In case you didn't notice, that word in this case is "their."
VARIATIONS -THEIR
In case you didn't learn this in elementary school, you use "they" when referring to more than one thing. Simple as that sounds, many people make the deadly and careless mistake of pluralizing a singular word.
i.e: The Giants won because they are the best team.
WHEN TO USE THEY
Students usually use "they" when referring to singular bands, restaurants, sports teams, and stores because it just sounds "right," but it is not right. Example: "GreenDay just released their 9th album!" The pronoun "its" is sadly ignored.
COMMON MISUSES
