Incorrect: The company offered a discount to increase their profits.
Correct: The company offered a promotion to increase its profits.
A company or organization is not a plural. It is a singular entity.
Furthermore, outside of a legal context, it is not considered a person.
Therefore, when referring to a business, “it” is more appropriate than “they.”
In today’s Daily Sun:
“The Boston Red Sox won their first World Series since 1918, sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in four games.”
QUESTION: would it be more appropriate to say: “….Red Sox won ‘its’ first World Series…”?
Manijeh, that’s a hard one.
I’d say “its” is correct because a team is a thing, not a person.
If you’re writing a story, I be consistent.
Now to the editors out there – is it “their” or “its?”
Good question. I would say “their” as opposed to “its”, just personal preference, I guess. However, a company or corporation would be “its”.