Happy student Posted 10 years ago
Vocabulary
Everyone
Examples:
1) Here everybody can read what ... want(s).
2) Everyone should be allowed to say what ... think(s) needs to be said.
3) Everybody should have ... own opinion.
I have 3 grammar books at home, and 1 of them says that I should use
'he/his', since it's gender-neutral. It doesn't say anything about
'they/their'. The 2nd book says that 'they/their' is completely wrong and I
should say 'he or she/his or her', and also I should avoid just 'he/his', as
it sounds very rude and sexist. The 3rd book doesn't say anything
about this rule at all, but it has lots of examples with 'they/their'.
As I understand there are a lot of different opinions on this matter, but what do you use/think?
Thank you very much!
1) Here everybody can read what ... want(s).
2) Everyone should be allowed to say what ... think(s) needs to be said.
3) Everybody should have ... own opinion.
I have 3 grammar books at home, and 1 of them says that I should use
'he/his', since it's gender-neutral. It doesn't say anything about
'they/their'. The 2nd book says that 'they/their' is completely wrong and I
should say 'he or she/his or her', and also I should avoid just 'he/his', as
it sounds very rude and sexist. The 3rd book doesn't say anything
about this rule at all, but it has lots of examples with 'they/their'.
As I understand there are a lot of different opinions on this matter, but what do you use/think?
Thank you very much!
Top answer
As you say, this is a perennial question in English. In my opinion: In formal writing, use "he or she / his or her". Informally, use "they/their".
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
0
As you say, this is a perennial question in English. In my opinion:
In formal writing, use "he or she / his or her".
Informally, use "they/their".
In formal writing, use "he or she / his or her".
Informally, use "they/their".
00