Person 1: Are Bob and Janice coming over? Person 2: They can’t make it.
Alternative:
Person 1: Are Alice and Janice coming over? Person 2: She can’t make it.
Alternative:
Person 1: Are Alice and Janice coming over? Person 2: Alice can’t make it.
This is far less ambiguous than you’re trying to force it to be.
Devccoon@lemmy.world 7 months ago
Your example is unambiguously plural. It’s not a good illustration of “they” creating confusion.