The gender-neutral pronoun in English

[TheParser]

If a teacher were speaking to a class of male and female students, that teacher would be in BIG trouble if that teacher said something like: "Tomorrow everyone must bring his book to class. If he does not, I will give him a bad mark."

One is expected to say either:

1. "Tomorrow everyone must bring their book to class. If they don't, I will give them a bad mark."

2. "Tomorrow everyone must bring his or her book to class. If she or he doesn't, I will give him or her a bad mark."

*****

I have noticed that a few (so far) speakers and writers are now using "she" as the gender-neutral pronoun.

For example (to a class with both genders): "Tomorrow everyone must bring her book to class. If she doesn't, I will give her a bad mark."

Nobody seems to complain.

In fact, the speaker/writer is often praised.

 

[frigidweirdo]

If a teacher were speaking to a class of male and female students, that teacher would be in BIG trouble if that teacher said something like: "Tomorrow everyone must bring his book to class. If he does not, I will give him a bad mark."

One is expected to say either:

1. "Tomorrow everyone must bring their book to class. If they don't, I will give them a bad mark."

2. "Tomorrow everyone must bring his or her book to class. If she or he doesn't, I will give him or her a bad mark."

*****

I have noticed that a few (so far) speakers and writers are now using "she" as the gender-neutral pronoun.

For example (to a class with both genders): "Tomorrow everyone must bring her book to class. If she doesn't, I will give her a bad mark."

Nobody seems to complain.

In fact, the speaker/writer is often praised.

I use they all the time if I don't want to give the gender away.

 

[Mac1958]

 

[TheParser]

I am a computer-illiterate senior citizen, Mac. I do not understand what that face means.

 

[irosie91]

If a teacher were speaking to a class of male and female students, that teacher would be in BIG trouble if that teacher said something like: "Tomorrow everyone must bring his book to class. If he does not, I will give him a bad mark."

One is expected to say either:

1. "Tomorrow everyone must bring their book to class. If they don't, I will give them a bad mark."

2. "Tomorrow everyone must bring his or her book to class. If she or he doesn't, I will give him or her a bad mark."

*****

I have noticed that a few (so far) speakers and writers are now using "she" as the gender-neutral pronoun.

For example (to a class with both genders): "Tomorrow everyone must bring her book to class. If she doesn't, I will give her a bad mark."

Nobody seems to complain.

the all embracing HE was ok when I was a kid in grammar school-----but I do
have a little complaint-------I was one of five sibs-----the only girl. My mom----
when moving us around always said "COM'ON BOYS"

In fact, the speaker/writer is often praised.

 

[Billy_Kinetta]

If a teacher were speaking to a class of male and female students, that teacher would be in BIG trouble if that teacher said something like: "Tomorrow everyone must bring his book to class. If he does not, I will give him a bad mark."

One is expected to say either:

1. "Tomorrow everyone must bring their book to class. If they don't, I will give them a bad mark."

2. "Tomorrow everyone must bring his or her book to class. If she or he doesn't, I will give him or her a bad mark."

Pffft. Expectations be damned.

I refuse to change my choice of spoken or written words on the whim of a few sexually confused people. In the same sense that "mankind" is all-encompassing, "he" is fully acceptable to the rational mind.

 

[Mac1958]

I am a computer-illiterate senior citizen, Mac. I do not understand what that face means.

It means I think this whole gender neutrality thing is silly as hell.
.

 

[JoeB131]

I am a computer-illiterate senior citizen, Mac. I do not understand what that face means.

It means you probably made a good point that doesn't fall into his 'PC Police are going to get us all!"

 

[JoeB131]

It means I think this whole gender neutrality thing is silly as hell.

Yet you are the one who keeps whining about it.

 

[Mac1958]

It means I think this whole gender neutrality thing is silly as hell.

Yet you are the one who keeps whining about it.

.

 

[JoeMoma]

Everyone is singular. They and their are plural.

 

[Skull Pilot]

Just call everyone it. The only truly gender neutral pronoun

 

[Unkotare]

Everyone is singular. ....

What about conjoined twins?

 

[Billy_Kinetta]

Everyone is singular. ....

What about conjoined twins?

One's a boy and one's a girl?

 

[JoeMoma]

Everyone is singular. ....

What about conjoined twins?

They are conjoined twins. He is not conjoined twins because there is only one of him.

 

[JoeMoma]

Just call everyone it. The only truly gender neutral pronoun

A baby before identifying the sex is often referred to as “it”.

 

[Billy_Kinetta]

Just call everyone it. The only truly gender neutral pronoun

 

[hjmick]

Dude. Gender neutral pronoun. If you don't believe me, go to California, everyone is "dude".

 

[Billy_Kinetta]

Dude. Gender neutral pronoun. If you don't believe me, go to California, everyone is "dude".

Another sign they're stuck in the 60s.

 

[Unkotare]

Just call everyone it. The only truly gender neutral pronoun

A baby before identifying the sex is often referred to as “it”.

By whom?