Victo Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Are the three sentences below correct?
All employees should bring their W2 forms to the meeting. (NOT: his or her)
The word "all" mandates the use of "their" in PA agreement.
Everybody/everyone/anybody/anyone/no one/someone should bring his or her W2 forms to the meeting. (NOT: their)
Every employee should bring his or her W2 form to the meeting.
Logic and reasoning:
somebody = some body = one person
someone = some one = one person
anybody = any body = one person
anyone = any one = one person
everybody = every body = one person
everyone = every one = one person
anybody, anyone, everybody, everyone, no one, someone
Each of these pronouns is singular and requires "he" or "she" (never "they") on further reference. Yes or no?
Thanks.
All employees should bring their W2 forms to the meeting. (NOT: his or her)
The word "all" mandates the use of "their" in PA agreement.
Everybody/everyone/anybody/anyone/no one/someone should bring his or her W2 forms to the meeting. (NOT: their)
Every employee should bring his or her W2 form to the meeting.
Logic and reasoning:
somebody = some body = one person
someone = some one = one person
anybody = any body = one person
anyone = any one = one person
everybody = every body = one person
everyone = every one = one person
anybody, anyone, everybody, everyone, no one, someone
Each of these pronouns is singular and requires "he" or "she" (never "they") on further reference. Yes or no?
Thanks.
Top answer
I believe all my examples may be correct.
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The use of "they" or "their" for a non-gender-specific, third-person, singular pronoun is well-established.
If it offends you, write in the plural.
If it offends you, write in the plural.
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Doesn't offend me in the least. My question is whether or not all of my examples above are correct (the info presented). Thanks.
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Hi victo,
Then I would say that while the examples are correct, the statement with "never" is not.
Then I would say that while the examples are correct, the statement with "never" is not.
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