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Anonymous Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
Their or His/her
Hi
Does this sentence sound grammatically correct...?
"If anyone calls, ask for their number so i can call them back."
I mean is it right to use their instead of his/her to refer to a person whose gender is not known?
Thanks
Does this sentence sound grammatically correct...?
"If anyone calls, ask for their number so i can call them back."
I mean is it right to use their instead of his/her to refer to a person whose gender is not known?
Thanks
Top answer
" Yes, it's what is commonly said. You will fail your exam if you don't use a capital I. Best wishes, Clive
- " Yes, it's what is commonly said.
- You will fail your exam if you don't use a capital I.
- Best wishes, Clive
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5 Answers
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Hi,
"If anyone calls, ask for their number so i can call them back."
Yes, it's what is commonly said.
You will fail your exam if you don't use a capital I.
"If anyone calls, ask for their number so i can call them back."
Yes, it's what is commonly said.
You will fail your exam if you don't use a capital I.
00
Hi,
I think this might be is a trifle matter but since it leaves with some doubt, please answer this.
In the post, their is used to refer to his or her and used in part to avoid mentioning the gender; then wouldn't it be more appropriate to make the sentence to reflect that like this?
"If anyone calls, ask for their number so I can call that person back"
I think this might be is a trifle matter but since it leaves with some doubt, please answer this.
In the post, their is used to refer to his or her and used in part to avoid mentioning the gender; then wouldn't it be more appropriate to make the sentence to reflect that like this?
"If anyone calls, ask for their number so I can call that person back"
00
Hi,
As I said, the their/them version is what is commonly said. Once you accept the use of 'their' to avoid the his/her problem, 'them' seems to follow naturally.
Your version certainly isn't wrong, but it sounds stilted.
Finally, I don't want to leave you with the impression that there is anything terribly wrong with saying If anyone calls, ask for
As I said, the their/them version is what is commonly said. Once you accept the use of 'their' to avoid the his/her problem, 'them' seems to follow naturally.
Your version certainly isn't wrong, but it sounds stilted.
Finally, I don't want to leave you with the impression that there is anything terribly wrong with saying If anyone calls, ask for
00
Thank you, Clive.
Can you check which ones are correct? I think this has been covered in the past.
1. Each person has to do their part in making a great society.
2. Each person has to do his/her part in making a great society.
3. Each person has to do their individual part in making a great society.
4. Everyone has to do his/her part in making a great s
Can you check which ones are correct? I think this has been covered in the past.
1. Each person has to do their part in making a great society.
2. Each person has to do his/her part in making a great society.
3. Each person has to do their individual part in making a great society.
4. Everyone has to do his/her part in making a great s
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Hi,
They are all acceptable. The problem of their vs. his/heris one that English does not have a great solution for, so some of these make me feel slightly uneasy. But I have a cup of tea, and then I don't feel uneasy anymore.
They are all acceptable. The problem of their vs. his/heris one that English does not have a great solution for, so some of these make me feel slightly uneasy. But I have a cup of tea, and then I don't feel uneasy anymore.
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