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Usenet Posted 23 years ago
Usage
They instead of he/she
Once upon a time (about five years ago), I saw an article on a web site about words and word usage about the use of the pronoun "they" instead of "he or she." The article basically said that it was becoming more acceptable to use "they."
I found the article interesting at the time and printed it out. I had it tacked to my cubicle wall for a long time. Unfortunately, at some point I misplaced or distroyed the printed copy and I've never been able to find the web page since.
I realize that most grammarians consider this usage an unbearable blasphemy, and I do find it difficult myself to break the rule that the subject and verb must agree, but I would very much like to re-read the article. So if anyone has seen that article and knows where I can find it, I'd appreciate being reminded of the URL.
Thanks in advance!
Gail Gurman (Email Removed) Currently on the lookout for an Oakland area paralegal internship or part-time technical writing contract.
I found the article interesting at the time and printed it out. I had it tacked to my cubicle wall for a long time. Unfortunately, at some point I misplaced or distroyed the printed copy and I've never been able to find the web page since.
I realize that most grammarians consider this usage an unbearable blasphemy, and I do find it difficult myself to break the rule that the subject and verb must agree, but I would very much like to re-read the article. So if anyone has seen that article and knows where I can find it, I'd appreciate being reminded of the URL.
Thanks in advance!
Gail Gurman (Email Removed) Currently on the lookout for an Oakland area paralegal internship or part-time technical writing contract.
Top answer
> Search for "singular they" and follow the trails. Eventually you will find your desired article or else a better one. Richard Maurer To reply, remove half Sunnyvale, California of a homonym of a synonym for also.
- > Search for "singular they" and follow the trails.
- Eventually you will find your desired article or else a better one.
- Richard Maurer To reply, remove half Sunnyvale, California of a homonym of a synonym for also.
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20 Answers
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>
Search for "singular they" and follow the trails.
Eventually you will find your desired article or else a better one.
Richard Maurer To reply, remove half
Sunnyvale, California of a homonym of a synonym for also.
Search for "singular they" and follow the trails.
Eventually you will find your desired article or else a better one.
Richard Maurer To reply, remove half
Sunnyvale, California of a homonym of a synonym for also.
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[nq:1]Once upon a time (about five years ago)[/nq]
I remember being told (wrongly - we took no notice, of course) at school that we shouldn't use 'they' in this way. It was the same teacher who told us we shouldn't read ('proper') poetry in a way that allowed the rhythm to be heard. What a plonker he was. The rhythm was the best feature!
Paul
My Lake District walking site (updated
I remember being told (wrongly - we took no notice, of course) at school that we shouldn't use 'they' in this way. It was the same teacher who told us we shouldn't read ('proper') poetry in a way that allowed the rhythm to be heard. What a plonker he was. The rhythm was the best feature!
Paul
My Lake District walking site (updated
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[nq:1]Once upon a time (about five years ago), I saw an article on a web site about words and word ... if anyone has seen that article and knows where I can find it, I'd appreciate being reminded of the URL.[/nq]
Around here it's a frequently discussed topic, in various forms.
Our Intro D says this; perhaps the article you remember is Henry Churchyard's list of historical citations, g
Around here it's a frequently discussed topic, in various forms.
Our Intro D says this; perhaps the article you remember is Henry Churchyard's list of historical citations, g
00
[nq:2]Once upon a time (about five years ago)[/nq]
[nq:1] I remember being told (wrongly - we took no notice, of course) at school that we shouldn't use 'they' ... a way that allowed the rhythm to be heard. What a plonker he was. The rhythm was the best feature![/nq]
Yes, up to a point. The problem is that children put on that sing-song 'poetry' voice and attempt to emphasise the rhythm. I
[nq:1] I remember being told (wrongly - we took no notice, of course) at school that we shouldn't use 'they' ... a way that allowed the rhythm to be heard. What a plonker he was. The rhythm was the best feature![/nq]
Yes, up to a point. The problem is that children put on that sing-song 'poetry' voice and attempt to emphasise the rhythm. I
00
[nq:2] I remember being told (wrongly - we took no ... a plonker he was. The rhythm was the best feature![/nq]
[nq:1]Yes, up to a point. The problem is that children put on that sing-song 'poetry' voice and attempt to emphasise ... blank verse it sounds horrible, if they say it so that the meaning is clear then the rhythm comes through.[/nq]
Yet that's the complete opposite of the guidance
[nq:1]Yes, up to a point. The problem is that children put on that sing-song 'poetry' voice and attempt to emphasise ... blank verse it sounds horrible, if they say it so that the meaning is clear then the rhythm comes through.[/nq]
Yet that's the complete opposite of the guidance
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Thus spake Ross Howard:
[nq:2]Yes, up to a point. The problem is that children ... that the meaning is clear then the rhythm comes through.[/nq]
[nq:1]Yet that's the complete opposite of the guidance the Royal Shakespeare Company gives (gave?) to actors, which can be summed ... South Bank Show special about the preparation of an RSC production the so-butch-in-leather Coriolanus
[nq:2]Yes, up to a point. The problem is that children ... that the meaning is clear then the rhythm comes through.[/nq]
[nq:1]Yet that's the complete opposite of the guidance the Royal Shakespeare Company gives (gave?) to actors, which can be summed ... South Bank Show special about the preparation of an RSC production the so-butch-in-leather Coriolanus
00
[nq:1]Thus spake Ross Howard:[/nq]
[nq:1]I seem to remember John Gielgud speaking it as if it was meant to be spoken, and becoming the greatest Shakespearean actor of all time.[/nq]
Gielgud? He bounced along as if the text were a water bed! That lad didn't deliver his lines; he declaimed them. If you want a real rhythm wrecker, try Olivier, who had this really annoying habit of placing str
[nq:1]I seem to remember John Gielgud speaking it as if it was meant to be spoken, and becoming the greatest Shakespearean actor of all time.[/nq]
Gielgud? He bounced along as if the text were a water bed! That lad didn't deliver his lines; he declaimed them. If you want a real rhythm wrecker, try Olivier, who had this really annoying habit of placing str
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[nq:2]Yes, up to a point. The problem is that children ... so that the meaning is clearthen the rhythm comes through.[/nq]
[nq:1]Yet that's the complete opposite of the guidance the Royal Shakespeare Company gives (gave?) to actors, which can be summed ... South Bank Show special about the preparation of an RSC production the so-butch-in-leather Coriolanus, possibly, or something
[nq:1]Yet that's the complete opposite of the guidance the Royal Shakespeare Company gives (gave?) to actors, which can be summed ... South Bank Show special about the preparation of an RSC production the so-butch-in-leather Coriolanus, possibly, or something
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You might be right, but that is a rather evil legacy to blame poor Olivier for.
Even our prostitutes have degrees - Fidel Castro
Even our prostitutes have degrees - Fidel Castro
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[nq:2]It was the same teacher who told us we shouldn't ... a plonker he was. The rhythm was the best feature![/nq]
[nq:1]Yes, up to a point. The problem is that children put on that sing-song 'poetry' voice and attempt to emphasise the rhythm.[/nq]
*** yes. There's nothing like a roomful of seventh graders reciting
TIger TIger BURning BRIGHT
IN the FORest OF the NIGHT
to m
[nq:1]Yes, up to a point. The problem is that children put on that sing-song 'poetry' voice and attempt to emphasise the rhythm.[/nq]
*** yes. There's nothing like a roomful of seventh graders reciting
TIger TIger BURning BRIGHT
IN the FORest OF the NIGHT
to m
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