Three current trends in English usage

The English language, like all other living languages, is in a constant state of change. Currently, three trends in usage call particular attention to themselves. First, use of the words they, them, and their in reference to singular antecedents has become firmly established in speech and is increasingly seen in writing. Second, the word whom has virtually disappeared from spoken and written English, being replaced by who which now serves as both subject and object. Third, use of subjunctive verbs has declined, particularly in conditional clauses, but not to the extent that is commonly assumed.