Its her their??

Question

Each of the articles sat on their own shelf. (do I use their or its)???

The city had memorials designed to honor its heroes. (do I use its ot their)???

Every one of the women has done her part. (do I use their or her)???

Either one or the other must pay for their ticket. (do I use his or their)??

If Kara or Anne calls, tell her I'll call back. (do I use them or her)???

Thanks a lot

Englishmaven · Accepted Answer

1. Each of the articles sat on their own shelf. (do I use their or its)???
2. The city had memorials designed to honor its heroes. (do I use its ot their)???
3. Every one of the women has done her part. (do I use their or her)???
4. Either one or the other must pay for their ticket. (do I use his or their)??
5. If Kara or Anne calls, tell her I'll call back. (do I use them or her)???

1. "Each" is singular, so you would use "its."
2. The city is singular, so you would use "its."
3. It is one woman, so it is "her."
4. One or the other is a choice of two singular things, so you need a singular pronoun. Since we don't know if it is male or female, you would have to say "his/her" or "his or her."
5. Kara and Anne are both singular, so you need a singular pronoun, but "her" does not sound clear, though it is. You could say, "Tell whichever onecalls that I'll call her back." The word "them" is not right.

Many people use a "singular 'they' " because of this problem, not wanting to say his/her and not knowing if the person is male or female because they don't have a reference yet. This happens with words like "anyone." We don't know the gender of the person.

If anyone calls, tell him/her to call back later. We don't know if the person is going to be male or female. But saying, "Tell them to call back," isn't good, either. This is a problem today. I think in about 30 or 50 years, maybe sooner, the singular "they" will be acceptable, but today it isn't. Standardized tests don't accept it yet, and that is a good way of knowing.

Cool Breeze · Answer

Englishmaven I think in about 30 or 50 years, maybe sooner, the singular "they" will be acceptable, but today it isn't.

It has been used by distinguished writers and considered acceptable in British English for centuries. In fact this usage is older than American English. This is what Collins Concise Dictionary says:

When you are referring back to everyone or everybody, you usually use "they", "them" or "their":

Will everybody please carry on as best they can.
Everybody had to empty their purses.

CB

Its her their??

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