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.
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.