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Mitsuo23 Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Please explain why "it seems s/he"; could be bothersome
Hi,
I often see the sentences that begin with "it looks s/he" or "it seems s/he" and I would like to know why it has to be that way. Many of English expressions include dummy-its but most of them are quite reasonable and I understand they are even inevitable in some situations. But expressions like the above are not the case, I think.
For instance, "She seemed to know something" is shorter and clearer than "it seemed that she knew something," and yet the second expression would be more common.
Do you see any reason that this kind of usage is necessary?
Thank you,
M
I often see the sentences that begin with "it looks s/he" or "it seems s/he" and I would like to know why it has to be that way. Many of English expressions include dummy-its but most of them are quite reasonable and I understand they are even inevitable in some situations. But expressions like the above are not the case, I think.
For instance, "She seemed to know something" is shorter and clearer than "it seemed that she knew something," and yet the second expression would be more common.
Do you see any reason that this kind of usage is necessary?
Thank you,
M
Top answer
mitsuwao23 Do you see any reason that this kind of usage is necessary? Dear Mitsuwao23, No, I do not. Use of "s/he" is, as you know, short for "she or he".
- mitsuwao23 Do you see any reason that this kind of usage is necessary?
- Dear Mitsuwao23, No, I do not.
- Use of "s/he" is, as you know, short for "she or he".
- It's used when the writer is not certain of the *** of the subject and is trying to be politically correct in not favoring one *** over the other.
- Personally, I find it sloppy writing.
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3 Answers
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mitsuwao23Do you see any reason that this kind of usage is necessary?Dear Mitsuwao23,
No, I do not.
Use of "s/he" is, as you know, short for "she or he". It's used when the writer is not certain of the *** of the subject and is trying to be politically correct in not favoring one *** over the other. Personally, I find it sloppy writing.
00
Thank you for the reply, John.
But the point of my question was "it seems" not "s/he." I didn't think my writing was bad that much, though..
Regards,
M
But the point of my question was "it seems" not "s/he." I didn't think my writing was bad that much, though..
Regards,
M
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Pardon me, I was confused.
In the examples you provided, the only constant was "s/he".
Because you used "looks" and "seems", I thought you were questioning the use of "s/he".
In the examples you provided, the only constant was "s/he".
Because you used "looks" and "seems", I thought you were questioning the use of "s/he".
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