LiveWire Network Peer Answers Peer Support Teen Forums Tech Forums College Forums 472 users online 166210 members 293 active today Advertise Here Sign In
TeenCollegeTechPhotos | Quizzes | LiveSecret | Video | Dictionary | News | FAQ
You have 1 new message.
Emergency Help
Until you sign up you can't do much. Yes, it's free.

Sign Up Now
Membername:
Password:
Already have an account?
Invite Friends
Active Members
Groups
Contests
Moderators
3 online / 45 MPM
Fresh Topics
  LiveWire / Teen Forums / The Intellectual Forum / Viewing Topic

'They' as the gender-neutral singular pronoun
Your thoughts
Replies: 48Last Post April 22, 2007 1:14pm by Babiilnc
Pages: 1 2 3 4 Email Print Favorite
barnabas


Daughter of Sarah

Sustainer
Support Leader
Reply
I would be much apreciative if it would be more universally accepted. I hate using he/she, and have actually seen it replaced in some (very few) grammar books as they. It seems acceptable to me, and as language continues to change I am sure it will gain full status, but until then, (s)he it is

-------
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair,
gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your
inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet
spirit which is of great worth in God's sight

2:18 pm on Oct. 30, 2006 | Joined Nov. 2004 | 795 Days Active
Join to learn more about barnabas Arkansas, United States | Straight Female | 19273 Posts | 28817 Points
( Spasty )


Rubber Policeman

Patron
Support Leader
Reply
Quote: from barnabas at 4:18 pm on Oct. 30, 2006

I would be much apreciative if it would be more universally accepted. I hate using he/she, and have actually seen it replaced in some (very few) grammar books as they. It seems acceptable to me, and as language continues to change I am sure it will gain full status, but until then, (s)he it is

I was tempted to make a statement in the intellectual test about my position on "they," and actually use it... though I couldn't figure out how I could. I'm adamant in my using of it.

-------
SIGN UP HERE!!
SIGN UP HERE!!
SIGN UP HERE!!
SIGN UP HERE!!


3:35 pm on Oct. 30, 2006 | Joined Sep. 2005 | 655 Days Active
Join to learn more about Spasty Ohio, United States | Male | 14066 Posts | 24665 Points
marvelous


Advisor
Reply
It's okay, as in usable, but it realllly bugs me. I'd take 500 "he/she"s over one "they".

For someone graciously accepting the title of "grammar nazi", though, I must admit I don't look all that far into these things. If Strunk and White don't have an opinion, neither do I. On that same note, I think White was big on the whole "assume 'he' when gender ain't specified" thing, but I'm sure that's been edited out by now.


-------
i'm a rainbow too.


9:40 pm on Oct. 31, 2006 | Joined Aug. 2005 | 33 Days Active
Join to learn more about marvelous United States | Label Free Female | 82 Posts | 435 Points
Babiilnc


Dairy Product Addict
Reply
it's not correct, sorry. lol.

In a sentence you wouldn't say he/she, you would say:
Make sure that he or she is okay.

If it were more than one person, you would say "Make sure they're okay"


1:14 pm on April 22, 2007 | Joined Dec. 2006 | 89 Days Active
Join to learn more about Babiilnc California, United States | Bisexual Female | 790 Posts | 1749 Points
Pages: 1 2 3 4 Email Print Favorite

Quick Reply

Prereq. Intellectual Test
You are signed in as our guest.

Looking for something else?
 

  LiveWire / Teen Forums / The Intellectual Forum / Viewing Topic