Sage-Tips

Can you use them instead of him?

Them (objective pronoun) Use them to indicate a nonbinary or gender-neutral object (receiver) of a verb or preposition, instead of him or her.

Can I use its instead of his her?

It’s perfectly fine. Do use it; it’s much less clunky than “his or her”. “They” has been in usage for many years now, and though some people will argue against it, it’s becoming more and more the norm. It’s imperfect but it’s the best neutral we’ve got.

Why do people use they instead of him her?

Why they/them? It is normal in the English language to use they/them pronouns when we don’t know the gender of the person to which we’re referring, or if we want our sentence to be applicable to all genders. This isn’t new – the saying “Everybody loves their own mother” has been used since around late 1300.

What to say instead of his or her?

If necessary, use “one” instead of “he or she” or “his or her.” However, one should avoid this formulation as well, if possible, since the use of “one” can be awkward. Less desirable: A person who masters the basic rules of grammar, punctuation, and good writing is likely to impress his or her supervisors.

What can I write instead of his her?

Gender Neutral Language

• Rewrite the sentence to avoid the need for any pronoun at all.
• If necessary, use “one” instead of “he or she” or “his or her.” However, one should avoid this formulation as well, if possible, since the use of “one” can be awkward.
• If necessary, change the subject from singular to plural.

When to use their VS His her?

Do not use “their” as an alternative to his or her; “their” should be used only when referring to a plural subject. Each of the rules here offers a method of avoiding gender-based language. 1. Rewrite the sentence to avoid the need for any pronoun at all.

Can you use he and they in a sentence?

While “they” pronouns describe a single person, you still conjugate the verb as you would with the plural use of “they” in a sentence. Anywhere you’d use “he” or “she,” replace it with “they.” For example: She always has the best shoes.

When to use they / them / their in a sentence?

The use of them / them / their for a singular reference, he goes on to say, ‘ has existed in informal speech for centuries (and) is becoming increasingly acceptable in more formal styles ’. The use of they / them for a singular reference is also an example of a societal change.

Is it OK to use “they” or “them” as singular pronouns?

Using “they” or “them” as singular pronouns to refer to an individual is nothing new; but it’s difficult for some to grasp this deviation from traditional grammar rules. Learn what it means to use they/them pronouns and see how easy it is to start using the singular “they” when needed.

How common is the use of ‘his/her’ in grammar?

The use of their is increasingly common and should simply be accepted by grammarians, though it will probably take a century or so before the high and mighty accept this increasingly common usage. See here or here or here. Executive summary: His/her is to be avoided.