“they” instead of “he or she”
Years ago we used to say “he or she” to cover both genders when we were not sure. I had seen “s/he” in writing too. I don’t know since when “they” was started to be used instead even though the context obviously refers to a single person.
Is “they” what is called an inclusive language acceptable in all cases both in spoken and written language these days regardless of the context? I personally prefer to use “he or she” as I find “they” sounds funny when it refers to one person.
Top answer
What some call "singular they" has been around all along, long before modern political correctness. If you use it today in formal writing, it will probably be seen as a legitimate way of avoiding the purportedly sexist generic "he" and the cumbersome absurdity "he or she".
- What some call "singular they" has been around all along, long before modern political correctness.
- If you use it today in formal writing, it will probably be seen as a legitimate way of avoiding the purportedly sexist generic "he" and the cumbersome absurdity "he or she".
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What some call "singular they" has been around all along, long before modern political correctness. If you use it today in formal writing, it will probably be seen as a legitimate way of avoiding the purportedly sexist generic "he" and the cumbersome absurdity "he or she".
0healerinclusive language
No. Singular 'they' has been around for several hundred years — way before there was any concern about inclusive language.
healeracceptable in all cases both in spoken and written language these days
Yes, it's generally acceptable.
healerI personally prefer to u
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